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One dead in suspicious flat fire One dead in suspicious flat fire
(about 2 hours later)
One person has been killed and another was badly burned in a suspicious fire in a block of flats. One man has been killed and another was badly burned in a suspicious fire in a block of flats.
More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze on Milton Road, Portsmouth, in the early hours of Monday morning, rescuing 19 people.More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze on Milton Road, Portsmouth, in the early hours of Monday morning, rescuing 19 people.
However, one person died at the scene and another was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with severe burns. However, one man died at the scene and another was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital with severe burns.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire broke out in a communal stairway in the four-storey block.Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire broke out in a communal stairway in the four-storey block.
Police investigationPolice investigation
The four-storey building, which contained four residences, was worst hit on the upper floors. The four-storey building, which contained six residences, was worst hit on the upper floors.
A statement from the fire service said: "The incident is being treated as suspicious and scenes-of-crime officers from Hampshire Constabulary are investigating the cause of the fire." Uninjured occupants of the flats were given shelter in a nearby pub.
Hampshire's Arson Task Force, a dedicated unit set up earlier this year, is helping the investigation.
At the height of the blaze, seven appliances using two main water jets, four hose reels, and 20 breathing apparatus sets were required to fight the fire and bring it under control.At the height of the blaze, seven appliances using two main water jets, four hose reels, and 20 breathing apparatus sets were required to fight the fire and bring it under control.
Road closures around the incident have been removed, but police have cordoned off the building. A statement from the fire service said: "The incident is being treated as suspicious."
Hampshire Constabulary have launched a major investigation into the cause of the fire and have cordoned off the area.
The county's Arson Task Force, a dedicated unit set up earlier this year, is helping the investigation.
Road closures around the incident have been removed.