A MAN was rescued from a flat fire yesterday morning in Southampton.

The blaze broke out at 5.06am in a flat in Kent Street and two fire engines from St Mary’s and one from Hightown fought the fire.

Emergency services rescued the 50-year-old man from his second floor balcony in Belvidere House using an aerial ladder from St Mary’s Fire Station.

Paul Smith, a 50-year-old carer said: “My friend and I could hear banging from the flat above, which we thought was an argument. There was a thud, I went out onto the balcony and saw smoke billowing out of the window.

“I could see four of the man’s neighbours shouting at him when he was out on the balcony during the fire.”

He added: “I called the fire service and they got here very quickly. I was not scared, but I was concerned for the people in the flat.

“I have saved people’s lives before and I am glad I was part of saving this person’s life.”

Abdihakim Elmi, a 38-year-old teacher, said: “I saw the fire fighters in the morning and it was scary because the fire could have come through to my flat. I had my shoes on ready to leave just in case the fire got worse.

“I have been here for over a year and this is the first time I have experienced a fire in this block.”

Shukria Walizada, a 43-year-old resident, said: “At first I did not realise there was a fire until I heard my neighbour shouting, but then I saw the fire fighters were trying to calm down the man who was rescued.”

A spokesperson from Hampshire Fire and Rescue said: “The casualty received treatment for smoke inhalation and was taken to University Hospital Southampton.”

They added: “The fire was put out at 5.46am.”

The cause of the fire is unknown.

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