Huge fire near football stadium hours before kickoff as smoke seen miles away

06 March 2024 , 14:11

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Huge fire near football stadium hours before kickoff as smoke seen miles away

An enormous fire has broken out at a warehouse close to St Mary's stadium in Southampton.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen snaking into the air from across the city after a disused industrial unit was consumed in an inferno close to the stadium on Britannia Road.

Firefighters are now battling the blaze which broke out in what are thought to be warehouses just after 1pm this afternoon - and locals have been warned to avoid the area.

Southampton's Championship fixture with Preston North End, due to kick off at 7.45pm, has been postponed, the club has confirmed. The EFL had earlier said they are "closely monitoring" the fire situation. Roads near the stadium remain closed as firefighters continue to tackle the blaze.

The loudspeaker was reportedly heard telling people to evacuate the stadium, with crowds out staff seen making their way out, according to witnesses.

Astonishing pics show firefighters save woman from 3rd floor of blazing building

Emergency services have put a cordon in place while fire crews desperately try to quench the blaze

Emergency services have put a cordon in place while fire crews desperately try to quench the blaze. Nikki Delaney was in the area when the units went up in flames. She said: "The flames are high and it's getting worse. The heat from the flames is a lot and I'm not even close."

A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue said: "Crews are currently attending a fire in Marine Parade Southampton. The initial call came in at 1.05pm.

The fire was seen for miles across the city

"The fire is affecting industrial units near St Mary's football stadium. There are currently eight fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and other specialist vehicles in attendance.

"People in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke. Some roads local to the incident are closed and people are advised to avoid the area to allow movements of emergency vehicles."

A thick cloud of smoke is seen towering over the stadium (wave105radio/X)

The Saints are supposed to be playing this evening (@GHR_SouthCoast /X)

South Central Ambulance says it has treated one person who suffered minor smoke inhalation. There have been no other reports of injuries. Paramedics are remaining at the scene.

It said: "We have our full hazardous area response team, a tactical advisor and an ambulance at this incident and are working with colleagues from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire police in a joint response."

The affected warehouse is reportedly the former Greenhams building on the Central Industrial Estate on Marine Parade. A BBC reporter on the scene recalled seeing an "immense" fire and said she could hear "pops" ringing out from the flames.

The roof of the warehouse has reportedly collapsed, with all the windows now blown out. Fire was seen coming out of the gaps in the building.

The fire service released this photo of fire fighters tackling the blaze

Around the building are hundreds of pallets. They've not yet been affected by the fire and rescue crews are using fork lift trucks to remove them from the area. Southampton are supposed to be playing Preston North End at the stadium at 19.45pm this evening.

Ryan Merrifield