SIX people were taken to hospital last night following a fire which destroyed one flat and damaged two others.

The injured were taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation although none were believed to be in a life threatening condition.

The fire broke out in a first floor flat in Byron Road, Thornhill, shortly before 9pm, completely destroying the property.

Firefighters said a woman who lived inside the two-bedroom flat managed to escape before the fire took hold.

Moments later smoke spread to six other flats in the four-storey block, believed to be owned by Southampton City Council.

Two of the neighbouring flats suffered smoke and heat damage and the occupants were forced to spend the night with friends and relatives.

Firefighter Rob Cole, based at Hightown fire station, said: "When we arrived the flat was well alight. Flames were coming from all the windows.

"Smoke was going into other the other flats. The flat was 100 per cent destroyed by fire and the two flats immediately above were damaged by heat and smoke."

Mr Cole said the flat where the fire started had not been fitted with a smoke detector and urged people to fit one in their homes.

"If there had been some early smoke detection people in the other flats could have been alerted earlier," he said.

The alarm was raised by a passing member of the public who dialled 999 at around 9pm.

A total of 24 firefighters, including crews from Hightown, St Mary's and Eastleigh, attended the blaze.

They spent several hours damping down the scene.