TWO women have been dramatically rescued from a burning block of flats this morning.

Fire crews carried a disabled woman to safety and helped another escape the blaze after thick toxic smoke filled their first floor apartment in Mansbridge Road, Eastleigh.

Both were taken to Southampton General Hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Police have launched an investigation in to the cause of the blaze, which started in an unoccupied flat on the ground floor below.

Fire crews from Eastleigh and St Mary's were called to the flats at around 7.50am this morning after a dog walker spotted smoke and dialled 999.

They used breathing apparatus, hose reels and jets as they quickly dampened the flames before a team was able to access the upstairs flat and rescue the two women.

A further two people were able to make their own way to safety from a different part of the 40m by 10m block.