Scores of firefighters tackleed a major blaze in Portswood

Nine fire engines from St Mary's, Redbridge, Hightown and Southsea stations were called to the junction of Portswood Road and Lodge Road to deal with the fire.

Firefighters are pumping water into a block of flats and it is understood people were evacuated, with three rescued - two from the roof and one via a window.

Police have closed Portswood Road between its junctions with Lodge Road and Avenue Road while crews deal with the fire.

Three ambulances are also on the scene along with a police van and an unmarked police vehicle.

The Hazardous Area Response Team are also at the site.

Bonnie Loveday was staying with firends at the flats and had to be evacuated via a ladder.

She said: "I had to be escorted out of the window. I was covered in smoke.

"I was with my friend in the flat; when he opened the door the smoke came in and we could not get out."

Father-of-three Kadimierz Szeligowski, who lives on the top floor, was about to eat dinner with his wife when he opened the door to see smoke coming in.

Kadimierz, a bricklayer, said: "When I opened the door there was all this smoke coming into the house, so I opened the window.

"Then the fire brigade arrived and got us down through the window with the ladder."

His wife Ewe added: "I was scared. I knew there was a fire so I just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

My legs were shaking as I went down the ladder. The firemen were very nice, they held me and helped me down."

Kadimierz and Ewe Szeligowski 

As they watched the firemen they admitted they were worried they did not know what was left of their flat.

There are still four fire engines and an aerial platform at the scene.

Mark White, fire officer in charge of the incident, said: "We had several occupents within the flats when the fire started. When the crews arrived they encountered smoke.

"They rescued two people from the roof and one person from a window via ladders. We then committed to a full search of the flats and confirmed there were no more people inside.

"We believe the fire began in a boiler room and extinguished it with positive pressure ventilation fans."

Breathing apparatus was also used and it is understood no one was injured.

Residents are currently standing across the road while passers-by have stopped to watch the drama.

Saj Khan, from Taj Tyres, opposite the flats, said: “It started about an hour ago.

“We don’t know exactly what happened but the roof of the building caught fire.

“We saw an old lady being taken out of the front door of the flats by two police officers, and she was told to stay away from the building.”

It is understood the incident began at around 4.20pm.