This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36283943
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Fire breaks out at Southampton fireworks store | Fire breaks out at Southampton fireworks store |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A huge blaze broke out at a shop in Southampton, setting off dozens of fireworks stored inside. | A huge blaze broke out at a shop in Southampton, setting off dozens of fireworks stored inside. |
| Explosives lit up the sky and loud bangs were heard as the fire took hold at 05:00 BST on Bitterne Road West. | Explosives lit up the sky and loud bangs were heard as the fire took hold at 05:00 BST on Bitterne Road West. |
| Homes and properties within 100 metres (328ft) of the fire on the site of the Southern Fireworks Factory and the Flower Factory were evacuated. | Homes and properties within 100 metres (328ft) of the fire on the site of the Southern Fireworks Factory and the Flower Factory were evacuated. |
| No-one was injured. Surrounding roads are expected to remain closed overnight. | |
| More than 70 firefighters in 13 engines and support vehicles helped bring the blaze under control. | More than 70 firefighters in 13 engines and support vehicles helped bring the blaze under control. |
| Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service group commander Howard Watts said: "It was a challenging scene when we arrived - with all the explosions we couldn't get too close to the fire. | |
| "Our main concern making sure everyone in the area was safe and to make sure no-one was in the building." | |
| At the height of the blaze, a plume of black smoke billowed over the area. | At the height of the blaze, a plume of black smoke billowed over 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 bangs were gunshots. | Ryan Gregory, who lives nearby, said he initially thought the bangs were gunshots. |
| He said: "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." | He said: "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 and and Bitterne Bridge have been closed in both directions while firefighters deal with the blaze. | The A3024 Bitterne Road West and and Bitterne Bridge have been closed in both directions while firefighters deal with the blaze. |
| Southampton City Council said it had lifted the toll on the Itchen Bridge until the road reopens. | Southampton City Council said it had lifted the toll on the Itchen Bridge until the road reopens. |
| The authority said the road closures were expected to remain in place overnight | |
| Southern Water also warned the considerable use of hydrants in the area had left some residents with poor pressure or temporary loss of their water supply. | Southern Water also warned the considerable use of hydrants in the area had left some residents with poor pressure or temporary loss of their water supply. |
| Bitterne Manor Primary School on Quayside Road was also closed. | |
| A rest centre has been set up at the Ascension Centre in Thorold Road for 60 residents who have had to leave their homes. | A rest centre has been set up at the Ascension Centre in Thorold Road for 60 residents who have had to leave their homes. |
| The council confirmed a licence to store fireworks had been issued to Southern Firework Factory Ltd in September. | The council confirmed a licence to store fireworks had been issued to Southern Firework Factory Ltd in September. |
| A spokesman said the storage conditions at the premises "complied with the relevant conditions". | A spokesman said the storage conditions at the premises "complied with the relevant conditions". |
| "At the time of the licence application the premises was purely commercial with no residential accommodation attached. As such the licence permitted 250kg (550lbs) net explosive content to be stored in a steel container secured against unauthorised access," he said. | "At the time of the licence application the premises was purely commercial with no residential accommodation attached. As such the licence permitted 250kg (550lbs) net explosive content to be stored in a steel container secured against unauthorised access," he said. |