A MAN was rescued and 50 residents were evacuated after fire broke out at a Hampshire retirement home.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the blaze at Hometide House, Beach Road, Lee-on-the-Solent this morning.

A fire crew used breathing apparatus, a ladder and jets to extinguish the fire before the resident was led to safety.

South Central Ambulance Service sent out a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew.

They treated an elderly man, at the scene, for non-life-threatening smoke inhalation.

He was assessed at the scene before being taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Firefighters from Gosport and Fareham were called into action and were supported by a command and control unit from Portchester.

A police spokesperson said: "It was all contained within one flat and the resident has been taken to hospital as a precaution."

The fire started at about 10am and was extinguished at about 11.20am.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101.