An investigation has started into the cause of a fire at a block of flats in Leicester.

Dozens of people had to leave their homes after the fire broke out on the St Mathews estate at 2130 BST on Friday.

At its height, the flames and thick black smoke could be seen from over a mile away.

About 45 firefighters were needed to put out the fire.

We heard a rumbling going on and people shouted 'get out, get out

Ashwin Katharia

The damage to the flats is estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

Many residents spent the night in the local Territorial Army base.

One woman was in her bath when the fire started.

Beverley Hammond told BBC Radio Leicester: "I heard this explosion.

"I put on my nightwear and went out into the passage.

Ladder rescue

"I saw the flames through the front door so I put my cat in her box and shouted to people to call the fire brigade."

She was eventually rescued by firefighters who put a ladder up to her window.

Ashwin Katharia, who lives in a ground floor flat said: "We heard a rumbling going on and people shouted 'get out, get out'."

Inquires are continuing, but it believed the fire started in a roof space in the block.