A FIRE at an accommodation block in Bournemouth town centre forced residents to move into hotels.

The serious incident at B-Central accommodation in Commercial Road on Saturday evening was contained to a single flat and the corridor on the top level of the front section of the building.

However, due to safety concerns residents on the upper floors were forced to stay in temporary accommodation.

Bournemouth Borough Council staff supported people from 24 properties, including arranging overnight stays in hotels for those who needed somewhere to spend the night.

James Lees, 35, who lives in the back section of the building on the eighth floor, was booked into the Ramada Hotel for two nights.

He says when he first heard the fire alarms he left his home, but could not see anyone in the corridor.

“I went back into my flat and was a little concerned,” Mr Lees said.

“I looked in the corridor again and saw my neighbours running out of their flats.

“When I looked out of the window I could see the flames from the flat that was on fire.

“I was scared. You don’t think that something like this is going to happen where you live and you worry that you might not get out safely.”

Mr Lees applauded the emergency services for how they handled the incident and said the council were supportive in arranging accommodation.

He also offered the family who have lost their possessions the opportunity to stay with him.

“It is a young family. My thoughts are with them,” he added.

“I hope they can move on and I’m glad no one was hurt.”

Following the incident Mr Lees said he would like the housing association to look into ensuring there is a clear safety protocol and to place fire extinguishers in the corridors on every floor.

Residents were able to take essentials from their homes late on Saturday night and those on the lower floors were allowed to stay in their flats from shortly before midnight.

Andy Stacey, 44, who was in his fourth floor flat when the alarms sounded, said: “I didn’t really panic. My partner was a bit shaken up, but later on she was okay.

“I think the emergency services all did a really good job sorting everything out. We were briefed at 10.30pm by the fire commander and later we were able to return to our flat.”