A HAMPSHIRE councillor has thanked firefighters after a devastating blaze tore through his family home, forcing them to flee.

Nick Adams-King, a Conservative who represents Blackwater ward on Test Valley Borough Council, fled the property with his husband and their children, aged 10 and six, on Saturday night.

Although investigations are continuing, Councillor Adams-King said the fire is believed to have been started in the roof space of the property by the flue from a wood burner.

In total six fire engines were called out from Romsey, St Mary’s, Redbridge, Totton and Eastleigh at around 8.45pm to deal with the blaze at the home in Stanbridge Lane, Awbridge.

“It’s one of those nightmares you always wonder about,” he said.

“We had the kids in the car and the car away from the house quickly.

“The kids were amazing.

They were in the car until around 1am waiting for everything to be dealt with.”

Despite the family noticing the smoke quickly, much of the property has been badly damaged in the fire.

Cllr Adams-King, who previously ran for the role of Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We had just finished dinner and the kids were watching a film.

“We noticed a bit of smoke and when we went upstairs to check, there was a lot of smoke.

“We got everybody out, including all of the pets, but that was all we could do.”

The ground floor, first floor and roof of the building were severely damaged by fire.

Ambulances attended, but paramedics weren’t needed to treat the family.

“At the end of the day, we’re insured, we’re ok, it’s all going to be fine,” Cllr AdamsKing said.

“We live in the most amazing community and so many people have offered storage spaces or somewhere to stay already.

“The kids already have school clothes, friends are washing things for us - the support has been incredible.”

A spokesperson from the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “They were outside when we arrived.

“Thankfully, they had working smoke alarms which gave them early warning and enabled them to safely evacuate.

They also had a plan of what to do in an emergency.”

Cllr Adams-King said the firefighters had shown “professionalism, speed and kindness”.

“They worked incredibly hard to save what they could,” he said.

“They were fantastic.”