����ý

Four people were taken to hospital after fumes from a Buddha statue being filled with expanding foam caused an explosion and house fire in Hampshire.

Crews were called to Churchill Close, Titchfield Common, on Tuesday where a man had been filling the ornament with foam near an open fire.

The man reported an explosion and flash coming from the fire, igniting the carpet, settee and statue.

Crews said it was likely the flammable vapours from the foam aerosol exploded.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue investigations officer Graham Howlett said there were four children and three adults in the house at the time of the explosion, which happened at about 23:19 GMT.

Two adults and two children were taken to hospital after breathing in smoke.

The ground floor of the detached house was severely damaged in the blaze.