A FAMILY fled their Southampton high rise flat after their tumble dryer overheated and started emitting smoke.

A couple and their baby evacuated their 13th storey home in Oslo Towers in International Way, Weston, when the appliance began burning at 7.50pm last night.

Crews of 36 firefighters in six fire engines from Hightown, St Mary's and Hamble stations arrived for fear a blaze might break out at the 14 storey block.

But the machine had cooled down sufficiently by the time they arrived and they did not need to use their equipment to put it out.

Hightown crew manager Matt Farr warned people to check smoke alarms and make sure they do not overload plug sockets.