An investigation is under way today into a fire in flats on a Southampton estate.

Residents were evacuated from the block of flats after the blaze broke out on the top floor.

A total of 55 firefighters were called to the fire at the five storey block in Copse Road, Townhill Park at midday.

On arrival they found the upper floor maisonette engulfed in flames with the fire spreading along the roof of the building. Parts of the flat roof were subsequently stripped off as firefighters made the scene safe.

They used breathing apparatus to put out the fire from inside and also tackled the blaze from outside with the help of the aerial ladder platform.

A neighbouring maisonette is believed to have suffered some fire damage too.

All of the residents living in the Southampton City Council owned block were safely evacuated and nobody was injured in the blaze.

The occupants of the property where the fire started - a father and his two teenage children - were out at the time the blaze began.

Neighbours raised the alarm after seeing smoke and flames coming from the property.

All of the homes in the block of flats are fitted with smoke alarms and an investigation is under way in what caused the fire.

Officer in Charge, Group Manager Tom Carr, said: “Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a flat well alight and fought the fire from both the inside and the outside of the property, however it did spread to the bitumen surfaced roof and as a result firefighters have had to strip away parts of the roof to ensure it's safety.

“This was a severe fire and during a phased evacuation of the block, I am glad to report that all person were accounted for and there were no reported injuries.”

Evacuated residents will learn later today whether they can return back to their flats or whether they will be offered temporary accommodation.