Police have arrested a person in the probe into last night's fire in Warburton Road, Thornhill

More than 70 firefighters from across Hampshire were deployed to the scene in Thornhill following a 999 call just after 7.45pm.

Seven residents had to be led to safety and many more evacuated from the 13-storey building as fire crews wearing breathing apparatus moved in to tackle the flames inside a 12th floor flat.

Hampshire police today confirmed the cause of the blaze was suspicious and they had arrested a 55-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of arson.

They added that three officers had received medical attention - two of them taken to hospital to be assessed - last night.

This morning residents spoke of their shock at the arson attack.

Residents of Hightown Towers have today spoken of their shock after police confirmed they were investigating an arson.

They described being alerted that something was going on when fire engines and police began arriving outside.

Sam Sadler, 22, above, who lives on the third floor, said: "Everything was turning up. At first I did not know what was going on.

"We knew nothing about an arson. I thought it was to do with an old couple upstairs.

"Then police began knocking on doors."

She said the incident sparked memories the fire Shirley Towers in 2010 that claimed the life of firefighters Jim Shears and Alan Bannon.

"Something like that could have happened again."

Hampshire police have so far not confirmed if they have charged anyone in connection with the suspected arson.

One resident said she saw a woman being led away to a police car that she understood to be the resident affected by the fire.

Officers from Hampshire police had been the first to arrive on the scene following the emergency call and residents told how they were banging on doors of homes on the floor where the fire broke out, to raise the alarm.

Incident commander Malcolm Freemantle, station manager at Hightown Fire Station, told the Daily Echo that because of heavy smoke logging they were initially unable to determine if anyone was trapped in the building and more crews were drafted in to help.

He said: “A report came in of a fire in a 12th floor flat. At that time we had no confirmation of whether there were people in the flat or not.

“Because of the heavy smoke logging we increased the attendance to 10 appliances to confirm if people were out.

“A fire in a high rise building is treated as extremely serious.”

Mr Freemantle added that three people were treated for smoke inhalation but their conditions were not thought to be life-threatening.

Last night it emerged that all three were on duty police officers.

One was medically assessed at the scene while two colleagues were taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation although their conditions are not life threatening, a force spokesman confirmed.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the fire had broken out inside a property on the 12th floor. Nobody is understood to have been inside at the time.

The corridor outside the flat - one of 12 on that floor - was heavily smoke logged while the property itself suffered smoke damage and ten per cent fire damage.

Residents living on all other floors were not evacuated but told to stay in their properties.

One resident who lived on the eighth floor but didn't want to be named, said: “There was a lot of commotion when everybody came out.

“I looked out the window. I spoke to a woman who lived on that floor and she said she heard lots of banging and shouting.”

Hampshire police are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious before 7.45pm, to call Shirley CID on 101.

A spokesman said: “Some neighbouring residents were evacuated as a temporary precaution, but were allowed to return to their properties a short time later.“We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation.“Hampshire Constabulary is investigating the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious at this time.”

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire police federation, said it was no surprise that officers had put themselves in harms way to try and save lives.

John Apter

He said: “My thoughts are with the officers who suffered from smoke inhalation - but I am relieved that they were not more seriously hurt.

“This incident highlights the dedication and bravery not just of police officers, but of all members of the emergency services, who do not know what their tour of duty will entail whenever they start a shift.”