TWO firefighters have died tackling a blaze at a Southampton block of high rise flats last night. Hampshire Fire and Rescue said that two firefighters had died while tackling the blaze on the seventh floor of Shirley Towers.

They have been identified as James Shears and Alan Bannon.

Two more firefighters were injured during the fire that broke out just after 8pm yesterday.

They were taken to hospital for treatment for burns to their hands. The cause of the fire is under investigation but not thought to be suspicious.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service did not confirm the tragic news until this morning and said their their thoughts were with the men's families.

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Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer John Bonney said:, “This is an incredibly difficult and sad time for myself and everyone in Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"The two firefighters will be sadly missed and will leave a devastating hole in the Service. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this tragic time and we are giving them all the support we can.

"This is not only a devastating loss to our Service but is a loss to the whole fire service community. "During these incredibly difficult circumstances firefighters at the scene undertook the successful evacuation and rescue of a number of people.

"Their professionalism, under truly difficult conditions, have been admirable and a testament to our Service." A total of 20 fire appliances and supporting vehicles were mobilised to the incident from stations across the county.

All residents living in the block of flats affected by the fire were successfully rescued or evacuated by the firefighters at the scene.

A pregnant woman was among those evacuated from Shirley Towers after the blaze broke out on the seventh floor.

Residents were due to be given an indication of whether or not they will soon be allowed to return to their homes at 12pm today.

Firefighters took around four hours to tackle the fire, which started in a double-storey two-bedroom maisonette at around 8.10pm.

Some residents living on floors above the fire were evacuated from the 15-storey building. People whose flats are in unaffected parts of the building were told to stay where they were throughout.

Police cordoned off several roads as 20 fire appliances were called to the scene, while ambulances were standing by to treat any casualties.

Firefighters tackled the flames from both inside and outside the tower block, with 36 using breathing apparatus. An aerial ladder, four jets and positive pressure to remove smoke from the building were also used in the operation.

Although people were told to keep their windows closed, many residents could be seen hanging out watching and taking photographs.

Although the pregnant woman was taken to Southampton General Hospital, it is understood no residents were hurt in the fire, which police said they were not initially treating as suspicious.

"All persons involved in this incident have been accounted for," said a Hampshire fire service spokesman.

Residents who were not allowed back to their homes were provided with emergency accommodation by Southampton City Council.