A MAJOR fire in an apartment block in Basingstoke is thought to have been caused by an accident, the fire service has confirmed.

More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at the block in Oakridge Road at around 3pm on Saturday, May 27, which has left 24 families displaced.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) fire investigation team has been at the scene since the fire started.

Read more: Photos show extent of damage caused by fire in Oakridge apartment block

Giving an update a week after the incident, a spokesperson for the service said: “At this stage, it is believed the fire was accidental.”

However, the fire service is still to confirm what exactly caused the fire.

It has already ruled out it being started by a barbecue, saying last week that “rumours speculating that the cause was a barbecue on the balcony have been discounted”.

Crews were sent to the incident at 3.20pm on May 27 where the roof and second floor of the building were ablaze.

Dozens of residents were evacuated during the fire, with 24 families unable to return because of the damage.

Families have told how the fire 'spread within seconds' as they were forced to flee their homes.

See also: Families fled burning building as fire 'spread within seconds' 

A fund has been set up by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke Voluntary Action to support the families whose homes have been destroyed.

The borough council said the fund was launched "in response to lots of offers of help from the community for those who lost their homes and possessions in the fire".

This has now gone live via a Charities Aid Foundation donate page at https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/23738.