Neighbours describe how a fire took hold of a Southsea house this morning

Crews from Cosham, Southsea and Portchester were called at 5.12am to Westbourne House in Kent Road, Southsea.

Ashton Keiditsch lives opposite the building which contains flats.

He said: ‘We heard sirens just after five and got up. We looked out and could see tonnes of smoke and some flames from the roof of Westbourne House.

‘Within 15 or 20 minutes it was just completely alight.

‘The firefighters couldn’t get to the fire from the ground so they brought in a big crane and managed to put it out. We spoke to the police and they said everyone had got out and there were no injuries.

‘I just feel sorry for the people who live there who were standing in the road looking desolate. The top flat has completely gone but I imagine the flats below must be flooded as they drenched the building to put it out.’

Hampshire Fire and Rescue confirmed the fire is now out but firefighters remain on scene to dampen down.

James Lampitt lives next to the building.

He said: ‘We got woken up by noise and realised it was sirens.

‘We looked outside and there was a lot of smoke so we closed all the windows and then we saw the fire.

‘We spoke to the firefighters and they said everyone got out safely which is a relief.’

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