Child dies in flat fire

A child died after a fire swept through a flat today, emergency services said.

Fire crews using thermal imaging cameras and breathing apparatus pulled a family of five from a first floor flat in south east London early this morning.

All five were unconscious and taken to hospital but one of the children died shortly after arrival, police said. The age of the child is not yet known.

The two-bedroom flat, in Arnould Avenue, Camberwell, was completely destroyed by the fire.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 4.38am to a fire at a residential premises on Arnould Avenue, SE5.

"Officers from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service attended.

"A man and a woman and three children were taken to hospital.

"One of the children died shortly after arrival at hospital.

"Officers are working alongside London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire."

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: "A 100% of the two bedroom flat on the first floor was damaged by fire.

"Five people were rescued by a crew using breathing apparatus who entered the building via the internal staircase.

"They were unconscious and suffering from smoke inhalation."