A WOMAN was taken to hospital after a fire that involved two flats in Southbourne in the early hours of Friday.

Fire crews from Springbourne, Christchurch and Redhill Park were called to Oxford Avenue at around 12.45am.

A first floor flat was well alight and a woman was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The Red Cross emergency vehicle was sent to the scene to help other residents and a high rise fire vehicle was also used.

Crews finished on the scene at 2.15am.

The room where the fire started was heavily fire damaged and there was also damage to the rest of the flat and the roof.

The cause is being investigated.