Fire crews battled a flat fire in Bournemouth town centre through the night.

The fire took hold at a third floor flat in Holdenhurst Road, near the turning for Cotlands Road, in Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Bournemouth Echo: Firefighters working late into the night dealing with the blaze. Picture" Twitter user @LePetitstonerFirefighters working late into the night dealing with the blaze. Picture" Twitter user @LePetitstoner

Fire crews were called shortly after 4pm with firefighters from Westbourne, Ferndown, Wimborne, Verwood, Poole, Wareham, Redhill, Ringwood, New Milton and Lymington at the scene, along with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne and a command support unit from Beaulieu.

A fire service spokesman said a call for 12 pumps to be in attendance was made to allow for a supply of breathing apparatus, so crews could regular rotate in the hot conditions.

The fire spread from an initially small area of the premises to eventually bring down most of the property's roof.

Residents in the area reported large clouds of acrid smoke filling the air, while flames roared out from the building for hours.

Live updates from Holdenhurst Road flat fire

No people are reported as being stuck in the building and the firefighters' full attention is on extinguishing the blaze.

Video from Ian Saul owner of Naked Coffee and Naked Deli

The smoke can be seen from as far away as Parkstone.

The road was closed and people were being asked to stay away from the area.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews will be at the scene throughout Saturday night and into Sunday, with the road closure remaining in place.