JUST IN: A fire has broken out near Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium, leaving the Championship field and the surrounding area enveloped in a big smoke cloud.
A fire has broken out next to Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium – leaving it shrouded in smoke.
A large plume of smoke can be seen coming from a building next to the stadium on Britannia Road and across the city centre.
Multiple videos posted across social media show a towering black cloud of smoke. The BBC have described the blaze as ‘immense’ and said that “pops” could be heard.
The fire is said to be affecting a warehouse on Melbourne Street opposite the stadium’s south stand. Fire crews are on the scene and tackling the blaze with a cordon in place.
Footage has shown the walls of the disused warehouse on the busy industrial estate falling apart as the fire rips through what is left of the building.
An incident report from Fire and Rescue said: “Crews are currently attending a fire in Marine Parade Southampton.
“The initial call came in at 13:05. The fire is affecting industrial units near St Mary’s football stadium. There are currently 8 Fire engines, 2 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.”
