A BLOCK of flats was evacuated last night after a faulty washing machine set one of the homes on fire.

Flames quickly spread from the overheating appliance, but a smoke detector in the Southampton flat wasn’t working.

The woman occupier, believed to be in her 30s, smelled smoke and called 999, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to lead her to safety.

The whole three-storey block of flats on Tremona Court, off Tremona Road near Southampton General Hospital, was evacuated as fire crews from Redbridge and St Mary’s tackled the blaze, shortly after 6pm.

The property, on the top floor of the building, was left damaged by the effects of flames and smoke.

Redbridge watch manager Paul Reddish said the occupant was fortunate to escape without needing any medical treatment.

“She had a smoke alarm, but it wasn’t working. She was lucky she was in another room when it started and smelled the smoke,” he said.

“If this had happened at night this could have been a lot more serious.”