RESIDENTS had to be evacuated as fire tore through a Victorian conversion.

More than 40 firefighters were called in to tackle the blaze, which broke out in a top floor flat under renovation in the building in Park Hill, near Bromley.

Crews were called at around 12.45am on Tuesday to fight the flames that had already spread to other homes on the top floor.

All occupants had to be evacuated from the detached property, which is converted into eight flats.

Three people are in emergency accommodation provided by Bromley council and it is not clear when they will be able to return to their homes.

Firefighters came from Bromley, Beckenham, Biggin Hill, Orpington and Addington, and were later joined by firefighters from Forest Hill, who stayed at the scene until 7am.

Crew manager Ward, from Bromley Red Watch, said: "The fire was under control by 2.30am but there was a need to stay because of the state of the building."

An investigation in under way to establish the cause of the fire.