People who had gained access and were living in a former restaurant caused a fire which tore through the building on Friday night, firefighters believe.

Scores of firefighters rushed to the former Zen restaurant on the corner of High Street and Bernard Street in the city centre, just after 9pm on Friday.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that while the cause has not been confirmed, it is believed to be due to people who had gained access and were residing on the premises.

A spokesperson added that crews completed a formal handover of the site back to the private landlord, providing firm guidance on how to secure the premises and prevent similar incidents from occurring.

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They also said that the fire investigation team was not required to attend.

Crews from St Mary’s, Redbridge, Hightown, Totton and Eastleigh rushed to the blaze that the former Zen restaurant on the corner of High Street and Bernard Street in the city centre just after 9pm.

Six fire engines were in attendance, and six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries.

The fire service has said a number of people safely evacuated the building in the early stages of the blaze.