AN INVESTIGATION is underway to discover the cause of a major blaze in a Hampshire market town which left two people in hospital.

Around 50 firefighters battled to save a family home in Winchester Road, Romey yesterday as flames ripped through the two storey property.

Crews from Romsey, Redbridge, Eastleigh, Fareham, Southsea, Lymington and St Mary’s fought to control the blaze as smoke billowed out of the first floor window,

Police officers were also on hand to cordon off the area and direct traffic away from the incident.

However, on the emergency crews’ arrival, just before 11am yesterday, two men aged 23 and 30 were already outside of the house. They were then taken to Southampton General Hospital.

A spokesperson for the South Central Ambulance Service confirmed the two patients were treated for smoke inhalation.

No one else was involved in the incident.

One eyewitness, James Cannon, of Romsey, said it was shocking to see the incident unfold.

“I didn’t see any flames but there was lots of smoke,” he told the Echo.

“We heard the sirens just before 11am and thought we would come and investigate.

“I could not believe the amount of smoke that was pouring out of the house. It was a shocking sight to behold.

“I hope the damage inside is repairable.”

An investigation will now be carried out by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause. The fire also damaged the roof of a neighbouring property.

The incident also left commuters battling to get home. Closures were in place throughout the afternoon and into the evening as part of Winchester Road and Botley Road were shut to traffic.

However, this is the fourth major blaze to hit the market town in the past six months.

Back in February Test Valley Councillor Nick fled his Awbridge home with his family.

Six engines attended the incident which destroyed two-thirds of the house.

In December more than 76 firefighters tackled a large blaze at a grade II listed Braishfield farmhouse.

Owned by television mogul David Frank, the fire tore through its thatched roof.

And last month more than 30 firefighters also battled a house fire in Luzborough Lane.