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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fire breaks out at Southampton firework factory | Fire breaks out at Southampton firework factory |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A huge blaze has broken out at a factory, setting off dozens of fireworks stored inside. | A huge blaze has broken out at a factory, setting off dozens of fireworks stored inside. |
| Explosives lit up the sky and loud bangs were heard as the fire took hold at about 05:05 BST on Bitterne Road West, Southampton. | Explosives lit up the sky and loud bangs were heard as the fire took hold at about 05:05 BST on Bitterne Road West, Southampton. |
| More than 70 firefighters are at the fireworks factory, Hampshire Fire and Rescue service said. No-one was thought to have been in the building. | More than 70 firefighters are at the fireworks factory, Hampshire Fire and Rescue service said. No-one was thought to have been in the building. |
| Eyewitness Peter Haughton said people had been evacuated from their homes. | Eyewitness Peter Haughton said people had been evacuated from their homes. |
| A plume of smoke can be seen billowing in the sky in the area. | A plume of smoke can be seen billowing in the sky in the area. |
| Resident Jill Sainsbury said she heard an "almighty bang" and saw different colours appear in the sky at around 05:00. | Resident Jill Sainsbury said she heard an "almighty bang" and saw different colours appear in the sky at around 05:00. |
| She said: "We thought it was coming from the river until we saw a massive plume of smoke coming from the fireworks factory near the flower factory. | She said: "We thought it was coming from the river until we saw a massive plume of smoke coming from the fireworks factory near the flower factory. |
| "The fireworks had been going off for at least an hour - it has stopped now - but certainly the plume of smoke is still pouring over the river and the city." | "The fireworks had been going off for at least an hour - it has stopped now - but certainly the plume of smoke is still pouring over the river and the city." |
| Ryan Gregory, who lives nearby, said he initially thought the sound of bangs were gunshots. | |
| He said: "I thought I heard gunshots originally, then I looked out of my window to see there was a lot of smoke. Immediately I knew it was from the firework factory, but I didn't expect it to go up in the blaze that it did." | |
| The A3024 Bitterne Road West has been closed in both directions while firefighters deal with the blaze. Disruption is expected to last until midday. | |
| Bitterne Manor Primary School on Quayside Road has also been closed. |