A blaze broke out in a Southampton tower block forcing residents to flee, with a police investigation now underway.

As previously reported in the Echo, the 18th floor of Redbridge Towers was evacuated after a fire started in a communal area.

Residents in five nearby flats were given fire safety advice and evacuated.

Ten fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, and incident command vehicles were sent to the scene.

Firefighters used three jets to extinguish the flames and ventilated smoke-affected areas.

The fire responseThe fire response (Image: Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service) READ MORE: Southampton fire at Redbridge Towers sparks police investigation

Everyone was safe and accounted for, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Residents of the tower block were shocked and concerned but were glad that nobody was harmed.

One resident from the first floor, who did not need to evacuate, said: "All we heard was the fire alarm going off.

"We heard a fire engine outside. All we saw was them looking up shouting don't go anywhere they are going to be here soon.

"I stayed up, and the fire crews and at about quarter past two all but two fire engines left.

"I was just worried, thinking 'Is everyone ok, what is happening'."

Another resident from the third floor said: "It was already sorted by the time we realised and heard the alarms.

"The whole road was full of fire engines, and down the road.

"It was mainly the smoke you could smell. I think it was all over very quickly."

READ MORE: Burst water pipe leaves residents high and dry for days

A police van and fire investigation van could be seen parked outside the tower block on Sunday morning.

"It was absolute chaos," said a visitor who stayed overnight in the tower.

"I had a friend who lives on the 18th floor and they were told to stay out."

A joint investigation by police and fire services is underway.

Sally Goodfellow, ward councillor for Redbridge, said: "It’s always a huge concern when we have a fire in one of our high risers in the city we think about residents and firefighters.

"It’s a relief that everyone including firefighters were safe in this incident.

"I would love to say on record a huge thanks to the police, SCAS and especially our fire service for their response in this incident."