FIREFIGHTERS were called to a fire at a block of flats in Bournemouth this afternoon.

Crews from Redhill, Westbourne and Poole attended the flats in Lydford Road following a call at 2.03pm.

Four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the kitchen fire in a ground floor flat.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “There was no working smoke alarm in the property and the occupant was fortunate to see the smoke and escape with only smoke inhalation, being treated at the scene by firefighters and then paramedics.”

Crews left the scene at 2.46pm but British Red Cross emergency response volunteers remain at the scene.

The spokesperson added: “The Service strongly recommends the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in all homes, and further information can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/safety.”