A FLAME from a cigarette lighter that ignited a bed caused a devastating fire at a Southampton block of flats causing 17 families to be evacuated it has been revealed.

The occupants of the upper floor maisonette in Copse Road, Townhill Park, where the blaze began – a father and his two teenage children – have now been rehoused.

They had left the property shortly before the fire broke out, according to investigators.

Meanwhile two families that were temporarily accommodated at the Jury’s Inn Hotel in Southampton were yesterday allowed to return to their homes.

Among them were Wendy and Paul Cripps and children Josh, three, and Connor, five.

Wendy said there was still a stench of smoke and a boarded up window in their home which is next to the property where the fire broke out.

A spokesman for Southampton City Council, which owns the 30 homes in the five-storey block, said its housing manager was in contact with residents to deal with any complaints.

He added that all the flats were checked to make sure they were safe before families were allowed to return.

All of the other council tenants were allowed to return to their homes on Saturday evening following the fire that broke out earlier that day.

In total 55 firefighters were called to the blaze at the building which spread along the roof. All of the homes were fitted with smoke alarms.

Assistant Chief Officer Bob Ratcliffe, head of community safety at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, urged people to take extra care with cigarettes and lighters.

He said: “Fire can kill in minutes, it can cause serious injuries, or wreck your property.

“Our firefighters attend far too many fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials and the sad thing is that the deaths and injuries these incidents cause could be avoided.”