A MAN spent the night in hospital after a fire started in the living room of his Hampshire flat.

The man, who suffered smoke inhalation, had to be rescued by firefighters along with a woman, who also lived in the flat and their pets.

Fire crews from Winchester were called to the blaze in Chesil Street, just before 3am, where they had to get the couple and their pets – two cats and a rabbit – to safety.

Crews spent 90 minutes tackling the blaze and were able to contain it, preventing the need to evacuate any other neighbouring flats.

The male was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but his condition is not believed to be serious.

The fire is now under investigation.