CHILDREN and adults were evacuated from a block of flats in Southampton today following a fire.

Firefighters led a dozen children and 20 adults to safety from the flats in Coxford.

An investigation has now been launched into the fire which happened at 2.45am.

The drama began after a shed build next to the block in Birch Close went up in flames.

No one was injured as a result of the incident at the four-storey block.

Firefighters paid tribute to the work of police officers who assisted with the evacuation.

Watch manager Rob Burns said: "The police constables who assisted us did a fantastic job of helping us get everyone out as at that point we had not got the fire under control."

An arson investigation was due at the scene of the fire later today.