FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a blaze that has broken out in student halls in Southampton.

Daily Echo:

The fire broke out in a kitchen just after 1pm today, six hours into the latest strike by firefighters in an ongoing dispute over pensions.

According to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were mobilised as part of their contingency plans and responded to the incident within the eight minute target response time.

Crews have tackled the blaze that started in a kitchen on the fifth floor of the students Hamwic Hall accommodation block in Cook Street, St Mary's.

One person has been injured.

Daily Echo:

According to a fire service spokesman the initial call indicated people were still inside the building.

A spokesman for Southampton Solent University said they had been made aware of the incident and confirmed that all students had been accounted for.

The fire started in the kitchen after a chip pan caught fire and the alarm was raised.

One student in his 20s was injured as a result fo the fire after suffering injuries to his arms.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service confirmed that one casualty had been treated at the scene and was taken to Southampton General Hospital for further treatment.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union walked out at 7am as part of a 24-hour stoppage in protest over plans to change pension and retirement terms.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that no firefighter had broken the picket line to respond to the incident which was dealt with by crews formed of a mixture of non-striking staff and retained firefighters from across the region.

The crews had turned out from Redbridge, Hightown, Eastleigh, Totton and Burley.

One witness who was in a nearby cafe said: "I was just sitting down having a coffee when I heard sirens and walkie talkies and the alarms going off, then loads of firefighters arrived. It looks pretty dramatic."

All students from the halls of residence which is thought to have around 30 rooms, were evacuated from the building which suffered smoke damage as a result of the fire.