"IT WAS like someone had smashed a pane of glass."

Those are the words of a Chandler's Ford resident who rushed to the aid of his neighbour after flames began shooting out of the first-floor window.

According to firefighters on scene, a candle was suspected to be the cause of a man having to flee his home and four maisonettes being evacuated on Monday afternoon.

Just after 1pm, firefighters from Eastleigh and St Mary's attended the scene on Bodycoats Road in Chandler's Ford.

According to the neighbour, who didn't want to be named, five-foot flames could be seen coming from the lounge window.

He said: "I heard a huge bang and it was like someone had smashed a pane of glass.

"I ran outside and saw five-foot flames coming from the window. I went round there to see if he was okay. He came out and it was as if he had just left the coal mine. Black muck was just coming down his face."

The man was taken to hospital after being treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

Crew manager Barry Atkins said: "There were four fire engines at the scene and the aerial ladder platform was used.

"At the moment we believe it was a candle that started the fire, but we can't say for certain. There are four maisonettes as part of the one building, and all four had to be evacuated. The resident in the one affected has been taken to hospital."