A MAN was pulled to safety after a fire broke out in a Southampton tower block.

Fire crews were called to the Rotterdam Tower on International Way last night after neighbours on the sixth floor heard a fire alarm going off.

Teams of firefighters broke down the flat door and needed breathing apparatus to reach a man - believed to be in his 60s - who was unconscious from smoke inhalation.

He was carried out to a waiting ambulance while the kitchen fire was extinguished.

Hightown fire station watch manager Rob Cole said residents were told to stay in their apartments while the blaze was put out as thick smoke had spread to the landing area.

He added that the cause of the fire, which started at about 7.50pm, was still being investigated.

He said: "He was quite lucky. If the smoke alarm had not been fitted, then the chances are that the neighbours would not have discovered the fire for a lot longer.

"We would like to stress the importance of making sure that there is an alarm fitted in your home and that you have an escape route planned in the event of something like this happening."