A WOMAN was hospitalised after she woke to find her flat ablaze in the early hours of yesterday.

Andrew Hodgson, 54, said his wife Natamonch, 42, woke to the smell of smoke in their first floor home in Oxford Avenue, Southbourne, while he was out.

Fire crews from Springbourne, Christchurch and Redhill Park were called to the scene at around 12.45am.

They arrived to the find the flat engulfed in flames and quickly requested a high-rise fire engine to help.

Natamonch was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and was back at the near-destroyed home with Andrew yesterday morning trying to salvage what was left of their possessions.

Andrew told the Daily Echo: “The one bonus is that she’s OK and I am as well.

“I was out at the time and shot back. My thoughts were of my wife first of all – she was sitting in the road in a hell of a mess.

“Property doesn’t matter – lives are so important. The smoke alarm didn’t go off and she was asleep at the time.

“She woke up and smelled smoke – she thought I was having a cigarette in the lounge, but I was at work.

“She shot out of the door and let the lady know downstairs. The whole street was out.”

Andrew, who has lived in the flat for 26 years, added: “I would say everybody should check their smoke alarms regularly.”

The Red Cross emergency vehicle, staffed by volunteers, was also sent to the scene to help residents.

Crews finished damping down and making the flat safe at around 2.15am.

The room where the blaze started was heavily fire damaged and there was also severe damage to the rest of the flat and the roof.

The fire service said the cause was being investigated.