Southampton fire: Firefighters scale down blaze response
- Published
Flames could see coming through the roof as the building collapsed
Fire crews are scaling down their response to a "deep-seated" fire near Southampton FC's St Mary's Stadium.
The blaze broke out at industrial units close to the stadium sending a vast plume of smoke into the sky over the city on Wednesday, at about 13:00 GMT.
Marine Parade remains closed and people living nearby are being urged to keep windows and doors closed, and not touch any debris from the blaze.
Firefighters are expected to remain on site overnight into Friday.
The fire led to the Saints Championship match against Preston being called off.
After the wind changed direction late on Thursday morning the fire service said: "People who were previously unaffected may now be seeing and smelling smoke" and urged anyone affected to heed advice to close their windows.
The fire service said the blaze was quite difficult to reach and due to the partial collapse firefighters could not go inside
It is understood plastics were involved in the blaze, which at its height more than 100 firefighters attended, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said.
The force have now scaled back their response, with two fire engines and one Aerial Ladder Platform now at the scene.
Mark White, incident commander, said crews had been working to "put out deep-seated hotspots that are still on fire".
They remained at the scene throughout Thursday with fire investigators set to establish the cause.
People who find ash and debris from the Marine Parade fire are being advised to leave it alone
Southampton City Council has issued a warning over debris from the fire.
Posting on its X account,, external the authority said: "If you find ash and debris from the fire on your property you are advised to leave it alone. Please avoid disturbing the material."
Black smoke could be seen across the city for hours on Wednesday afternoon
Smoke was seen "pouring over the north stand" of St Mary's Stadium, BBC reporter Curtis Lancaster said
The fire service said the fire was brought under control late on Wednesday night with crews scaled down.
Crews hope to extinguish the fire at some stage on Thursday.
It started in the former Greenham's building on Central Industrial Estate, with three of five units at the site "fully involved" in the blaze.
People have been posting videos on social media showing thick black smoke rising into the sky
The building was ravaged by the fire on Marine Parade in Southampton
South Central Ambulance Service said one person was treated for the effects of breathing in smoke but there were no other reported injuries.
The stadium was due to host a match between Saints and Preston North End at 19:45 GMT.
Southampton Football Club said a new date for the postponed game would be announced in due course.
A decision has yet to be made on whether or not Saturday's match against Sunderland will go ahead.
Watch: Drone video shows smoke over city
It said all tickets for Wednesday's match would be valid for the rearranged fixture.
The fire service said it was likely there would be a fire presence in the area for a "prolonged period of time".
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- Published6 March 2024
