Sixteen rescued from Portsmouth flat blaze

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-27753152

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Sixteen people had to be rescued from a seven-storey block of flats - including two from the roof - after a blaze broke out on the first floor of the building.

One person was taken to hospital after the fire at Windsor House in Canal Walk, Portsmouth, while 12 residents stayed at a rest centre overnight.

Two dozen firefighters were sent to the flats at about 20:40 BST on Saturday.

A fire service spokesman said crews "faced a difficult situation involving multiple rescues and a fire".

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's Gary Elston added: "One person needed hospital treatment, but without the swift action of the responding crews this number could have been a lot higher."

The cause of the blaze, which started on the first floor, is being investigated.