THREE people have been arrested as part of an arson investigation after a blaze broke out in a Hampshire home, killing two dogs.

Emergency services rushed to Kenwood Road in Portchester, where a flat on the first floor of a block of four maisonettes was alight.

More than 30 firefighters from Fareham, Cosham, Portchester and Southsea battled the blaze, with neighbours describing the scene as “horrendous.”

One gardener working in the Roman Grove allotments behind the property said: “It was very scary.

“You could hear it crackling. People were leaving the allotments because they couldn’t stand it. There was a lot of black smoke and it was coming all the way over here.”

Now police have arrested two men and a woman on suspicion of arson as part of their investigation.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “We were called at 10.42am to reports of a fire at a residential address on Kenwood Road, Portchester.

“Officers are currently working with the fire service at the scene.

“A 43-year-old man, a 44-year-old man, and a 55-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson and remain in custody at this time.

A spokesman for Fareham Borough Council said: “The council is aware there has been a fire at 20 Kenwood Road in Portchester and Hampshire Fire & Rescue were called to the scene.

“Council officers are now putting plans in place to find alternative accommodation for any families who are now unable to remain in their homes.”

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said two terriers died in the fire while two bulldogs were rescued by firefighters.

The spokesperson said: “Two people were treated by HFRS for smoke inhalation.

“The fire broke out in the kitchen of a first-floor maisonette which spread to the roof space and affected two properties.

“Support vehicles, including an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP), also attended.”

Neighbours reported the top floor flat was “gutted” whilst a flat on the ground floor had water damage.