RESIDENTS of a Southampton block of flats had a lucky escape after bins stored underneath their homes caught alight.

Some of those living inside the Park Road building weren’t aware of the blaze, at 12.30am today, until firefighters from St Mary’s station arrived at the scene, having been called by ambulance crews.

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Properties on the first and second floors of the three-storey block were left smoke damaged by the fire, in bins stored in an archway leading through the property to car parking spaces.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “The bins gave off a lot of smoke that could have put residents at risk.

“The ambulance service were there and called us in, otherwise it could have been a lot worse.

“It really shows the importance of having your smoke alarm working because it really could save your life.”

It is not yet known how the fire started.