Southampton: Brothers flee Commercial Road flat fire

One of the pair, who did not want to be named, told the Echo he was asleep in their third-floor flat in Wyndham Court when his sibling woke him up.

Flames ripped through the flat in Commercial Road, Southampton, just before 11am on Friday.

He told the Echo: said: “I woke up to my brother shouting at me and I went into the hallway and the whole place was ablaze.

“I grabbed my brother and ran out the door. I was running around panicking.

“My flat is completely destroyed and I don’t know where I am going to live.

“I am dazed and confused. I don’t know what caused it.”

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation by South Central Ambulance Service paramedics.

Speaking to the Echo at the scene, station manager Dave Graham said: “We received a call that said there were flames outside a window, and we mobilised a full response team.

“We launched an external and internal attack on the fire and it was deemed to be out within 15 minutes of our arrival.

“One person has been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

“The case is under investigation but it is not looking suspicious at this moment in time.”

He added: “The police did a sterling job evacuating residents prior to our arrival which aided our efforts.

“They have been here directing the traffic and making things a lot easier.

“We are now working with partners to secure the property affected and to allow residents back into their flats.”

READ MORE: Two people treated by paramedics as blaze erupts in block of flats

According to the fire service, the initial indications suggest the fire was caused by smoking materials, but investigations are ongoing.

Crews from St Mary’s, Hightown, Redbridge and Eastleigh were on the scene, alongside the police.

The road was closed to motorists as emergency services dealt with the incident.

It was later reopened to traffic after the blaze was extinguished.

All crews returned to station after midday, just over an hour since the initial call.