FIREFIGHTERS are battling a blaze at a house in Southampton.

Four crews were called out to tackle the fire that broke out in a property on Maybush Road, Maybush, shortly before 1.30pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the home, which was initially thought to still have the homeowner inside, but she had already left the property and was able to raise the alarm.

The fire is thought to have taken hold of the roof and part of a garage.

Nearby resident Samantha Barnes said: “I came home about 1.30pm and I saw the smoke everywhere. I ran across to see what was happening, and saw my neighbour was doing the same.

“The smoke was billowing out of the top of the roof. It was terrible.”