A passing neighbour banging on the door of a burning house alerted five people to the danger.

Plumes of smoke billowed from the semi-detached house in Edison Road, Welling, as nearly 60 firefighters tackled the blaze yesterday evening.

Five people escaped the house near the junction with Dryden Road before crews from Plumstead, Bexley, Eltham and Erith fire stations arrived.

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation.

A passer-by had spotted the smoke and raised the alarm shortly before 7.40pm. London Fire Brigade officers took 14 calls from members of the public reporting the fire.

Station manager Robert Scrivener said: “A neighbour saw smoke and flames and as well as calling 999, banged on the door to alert the occupants to the fire who then left the property before the arrival of the Brigade.

“Firefighters worked quickly to stop the fire from spreading to the property next door and they are also helping to salvage furniture and belongings before they are damaged by the water being used to damp down the property.”