Six fire engines are currently tackling a fierce blaze at a single-storey car workshop in Southampton. Residents have been advised to keep windows and doors tightly closed as thick smoke spreads throughout the neighbourhood.
Authorities have closed Shirley High Street along with Newlands Avenue and Janson Road due to the fire. Firefighters, numbering around 30, were dispatched to the scene on Lumsden Avenue shortly after 10.45am.
Southampton’s First bus services 1, 2, 3, and 12 are being diverted via Paynes Road and Mill Brook West Road to avoid the affected area.
Local residents reported seeing large plumes of black smoke covering the neighbourhood. Chloe McKenzie, a resident of Shirley Road, said, “The neighbourhood is filled with black smoke. I had to close the windows, it was that bad.” She also mentioned that parts of the road have been closed off due to the fire.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue have deployed crews from St Mary’s, Eastleigh, and nearby areas. An aerial ladder platform from St Mary’s is also in operation. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are combating the flames using five jets and a hose reel.
Adjoining buildings have been evacuated as the fire is being tackled from the outside. Additionally, nearby drainage systems have been sealed off to prevent contaminated run-off from entering the water system.
South Central Ambulance Service has sent a rapid response paramedic and an ambulance crew to standby at the scene. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported and everyone in the affected buildings has been safely evacuated.
The cause of the fire at the Southampton workshop is still under investigation. Fire and rescue services along with other agencies are working on-site to determine how the blaze started.
Updates will follow as firefighters continue their efforts to bring the Southampton workshop fire under control.
Originally published by UKNIP.
