Firefighters from across Hampshire tackle fire through the night in Portsmouth

Firefighters tackle large fire that destroyed part of a derelict building overnight in Portsmouth 

Multiple reports were received shortly before 12.30am after plumes of smoke were seen coming from the building.

Appliances from Southsea, Cosham, Portchester, Eastleigh, Service Headquarters, Havant, and Waterlooville, were in attendance of the fire on the first floor of the three-storey building in Kingston Road, Portsmouth.

A number of residents were evacuated from the adjoining flats after the fire ripped through a 4-metre x 4-metre area was destroyed by fire.

Firefighters used 18 breathing apparatus, four hose-reel jets, three jets, and an aerial ladder platform were used to contain the incident.

Crews used multiple PPV fans for smoke clearance after the fire was extinguished, South Central Ambulance Service sent around five incident response vehicles to the incident.

Police closed the road in both directions between Kingston Crescent and Powerscourt Road to allow crews to work safely.

The stop message came in at 4.37am.