Firefighters use smoke hood to rescue resident from Portsmouth flat fire

The occupant of the Southsea flat was provided with a smoke hood and led to safety by Portsmouth crews.

Around 40 firefighters were called to the block on Queens Crescent shortly after 6pm.

Crews from Southsea, Cosham, Havant, Fareham, Hayling Island and Waterlooville were on the scene to extinguish the third-floor blaze using jets and hose reels before ventilating the building to clear smoke.

One casualty was taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service paramedics to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The affected flat has been destroyed in the blaze with crews now conducting a salvage operation of a number of other flats suffering water damage.

The stop message came in at 20:40 with Fire Investigation Officers set to attend in the morning to ascertain the cause.

Find out more about smoke hoods on our website – https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/about/services-and-facilities/vehicle-and-equipment/specialist-equipment/

The incident also highlighted the importance of closing doors, with a shut door protecting one of the rooms from fire damage.