A fire at a flat in south east London is under investigation after one person was found dead in the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 12:15am today (March 17) to a flat in Railton Road in Herne Hill.

One person was found unresponsive in the flat.

An investigation has been launched by Metropolitan Police and the death is being treated as unexpected

Officers are working to identify the person's next of kin and enquiries into the fire remain ongoing.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called by the London Fire Brigade at about 00:15hrs on Sunday, 17 March to reports of a fire in a flat on Railton Road, SE24.

“Emergency services attended.

“Sadly, one person was found deceased inside.

“The death is currently being treated as unexpected and is under investigation.

“Officers are in the process of identifying next of kin.

“Enquiries into the cause of the fire remain ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 203/17Mar.”

A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 00.27am on Sunday (17 March) to reports of a fire in Railton Road.

“We sent a medic in a fast response car and an Incident Response Officer.

“Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene."

In a statement on X, Labour & Co-op Councillor for Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction, Jim Dickson, said: “Fire last night on the second floor of Herne Hill House has very sadly resulted in a fatality.

“That part of the building is currently a crime scene. Need to ask questions of the council, fire service & police on how this happened.

“Thoughts with the family of the person who died.”

We have contacted London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service for further information.