FIREFIGHTERS had to force their way into a flat early today to rescue a couple after a blaze broke out in their kitchen.

A neighbour returning from the pub spotted smoke coming from the window of a first floor flat in Lyons Place, Hedge End, and alerted the emergency services.

A crew from Hightown fire station forced their way into the premises and woke up the couple - believed to be in their 30s - and escorted them outside. Neither was hurt.

The fire began in the oven where food had been left cooking. The kitchen suffered smokelogging.