TWENTY-FIVE people needed to be evacuated after a fire broke out spreading from a shed to four houses in Stanmore.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Stuart Crescent at 10.50pm on Friday following reports that a blaze which started in a shed and spread to a terraced house.

Police evacuated neighbouring properties as the fire then spread to three other houses through the common roof void.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “The property where the fire started was 100 per cent destroyed by fire, and the adjacent properties were 50 per cent affected by smoke, fire and water.

“25 people were also in need to being rehomed, which was organised by police and emergency planning.

A police spokesperson said that the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Winchester City Council has said that three of the houses affected are “currently uninhabitable”.

A spokesperson said: “One property was uninhabited at the time of the fire. The residents of the other two properties have been provided with temporary accommodation and council officers are providing assistance during this unsettling and upsetting time.

“The council has since conducted a structural survey of the building and is assessing the work involved to make the three damaged properties habitable again.”

Following the fire a JustGiving page has been launched by Natalie Forsyth and aimed to raise £500 her for friend Jim Guy who lost his home in the incident.

On the fundraiser page, Ms Forsyth says her friend has had his life “turned upside down” by the fire.

Mr Guy also lost his dog, Todd, due to smoke inhalation.

Ms Forsyth wrote: “Hopefully, with some help, we can help him rebuild his life and at least get the things he will need when he is rehomed. At the moment he is sleeping on his daughter's sofa.

“Many people have donated clothing and toiletries already, but as we know, he will be needing so much more to make a new home, and hopefully the next chapter of Jim’s life can be less devastating. Every little helps.”

So far around £700 has been raised for Mr Guy.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/natalie-forsyth.

Firefighters from Winchester, Eastleigh, St Mary’s, Sutton Scotney, Redbridge, Alresford, Romsey and Basingstoke attended the scene.