FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze in the New Forest this evening.

Eight engines rushed to a block in Southampton Road, Poulner after reports of a fire.

The fire took hold of a top-floor flat in a three-storey block opposite the White Hart pub.

Two women took shelter in the pub as the incident unfolded.

A Hampshire fire and rescue spokesperson said: "It was a block of 12 flats and the fire in flat five was fully involved."

Neighbour Kelly Ridgley, 40, a full time carer, said: "We saw smoke billowing out.

"Then we saw two women come out. One was in a remote controlled wheelchair.

"All the windows are out at the back. It looks quite bad."

No casualties have been reported.