Four people were rescued from a blaze at a residential nursing home in Regent's Park.

Firefighters were called to Little Albany Street at 7.20am today (January 5) and had the flames under control by 9.15am.

Most of a flat on the first floor of the four-storey building was damaged in the blaze.

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Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued two men and a woman from the first floor via an internal staircase using fire escape hoods, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

A further man was also rescued from the first floor.

Two people were treated on scene and two were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

The LFB said fire escape hoods provide people with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases - carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein - and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.

If more than 15 minutes protection is needed then another hood can be issued.

They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Euston, Paddington, and Soho fire stations attended the blaze.  

The cause of the fire is under investigation.