Fire crews tackling huge fire at Fireworks Factory in Bitterne, Southampton

Up to 13 crews were called to Bitterne Road West in Southampton after the fire set off dozens of fireworks and left a huge pall of black smoke hanging over the surrounding area.

More than  70 firefighters from across Hampshire were called out to the massive blaze at the Southern Fireworks Factory in Bitterne Road West.

Homes and properties within 100 metres (328ft) of the fire at The Flower Factory were evacuated.

Police say Bitterne Road West is still partially closed and is "likely to remain so overnight". Motorists are being urged to continue to avoid the area during the evening.

While most residents have now been allowed back to their homes those living next to and opposite the site are still unable to return, and may need to be housed elsewhere overnight.

As many as 60 people were moved from their homes, but most have now been allowed to return.

Bitterne Manor Primary and Beechwood Junior School have also been closed today due to the incident.

South Central Ambulance Service have advised residents living in the Bitterne area to keep their doors and windows closed.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service say three engines remain onsite to put out the fire, which is still going almost ten hours after it started.

Firefighters are currently working with the SGN to make a gas main in the area safe.

The fire has also caused travel chaos all over the east of the city due to road closures.

• Bitterne Road West - More details on our live traffic and travel service >>

Southampton City Council have lifted the toll on the Itchen Bridge in the city, in a bid to ease traffic congestion, due to the fire blocking one of the key routes over the River Itchen.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service say residents in the surrounding area have been evacuated while motorists are being urged to avoid the area.

A spokesman for the fire service said they got the first call at 5.06am saying a large warehouse used for firework storage was on fire.

He added that crews were assisting with evacuations of residents in local area.

They had received at least 50 calls alerting them to the blaze.

Pops and bangs were heard in local area from fireworks going off, he said.

It is understood that no-one thought to be working in factory at time

Richard Yates saw the smoke as he was travelling to work in the city on a train from Portchester.

He said: "As soon as I saw the smoke I knew i knew it was the fireworks factory.

"I got here and there were flames about 20ft high, I watched it fall apart."
Arron Sandhu, from nearby Rampart Road, said he was woken by the huge bang caused by the fireworks going off.

"I woke up in shock, thinking 'what was that bang'?

"Twenty fireworks went off at once."

The fire is still raging in the remnants of the factory.

Residents and commuters on their way to work have gathered behind the police cordon to look at the fire.

Jennifer and Geoff Prouton, pictured,  live opposite the factory and were among residents evacuated from about ten flats along Bitterne Road West.

 Jennifer said burning tiles were thrown against their house by an explosion.

She said: "Just after five I heard a noise and we just thought it was someone being silly and kicking cans about.

" But we went out and saw the building was on fire.

"The windows were broken, there was liquid colour pouring out of the front, fireworks going into the sky, black smoke and enormous flames."

Geoff added: "I saw that the front of the building and the back was in flames, and we had our own sort of fireworks display, there were explosions all over the place."

One of those evacuated was Debbie Slater, of Buller Road.

She said: "I was woken by my dog barking at 5.30am and saw flames when I looked out of the window. The fireworks started at 6.15am - it was crazy, like something out of a film.

"The noise sounded like bombs going off.

"The police evacuated us at 6.45am and we have no idea when we will be allowed back.

"The firework has been there for many years and I'm not aware of any previous incidents. It's never given me cause for concern."

Residents evacuated include disabled pensioner Doreen Attard, 74, of Bullar Road.

Doreen, pictured, said: “I was woken up at about 5.15am and though it was thunder, but I looked out of the window and saw it all.

“When the fireworks started going off, it was just like Bonfire Night.

“We were evacuated at 5.45am and the police say we won’t be allowed back for a while yet. I’m frozen – someone has gone up the road to get me a hot drink.”

Macnaghten Road resident Karen Austin was woken up by the fire.

She added: "I thought at first that it sounded like a bomb, and then because there were several fireworks I thought it sounded like gunshots."

Group Commander Howard Watts, pictured, from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the cause is still unknown.

He said the service first received calls at 5.30am, and that ten engines including teams from Botley, Hamble, Totton and Winchester were called to the scene.

He said a driver delivering flowers to the flower shop had spotted the fire and raised the alarm.

He said: "There was nobody in the shop but we evacuated residents because of the explosions, and a 100m cordon was set up.

"Then we surrounded the fire to stop it spreading to other businesses on the roundabout.

"The fireworks shop is destroyed, there is damage to the other building too.
"We hope to get the roads open as soon as possible.

"I'm hoping that we might have traffic going, certainly by lunchtime we will be looking for the road to be open again, with a single lane open to start."

Matt Robinson, 42, a railway worker who lives opposite the shop, was filming the fire as the fireworks ignited, sending him sprinting down the street chased by rockets. 

"I wasn't even 100 feet away," he said.

"All of a sudden it was this incredible explosion. All the fireworks started coming right at us. The fireman just goes 'run! Get out of here! Just go, go, go, go!

"I was bombarded by rockets - they were right by my feet.

"The adrenaline was rushing like buggery. I couldn't believe it was happening here."

He added: "The whole front of the shop just came across the road, then the rockets started firing up the road."

"It was a horrific boom. You've never heard anything quite like it in your whole life. It reminded me of what happened when the planes went into the 9/11 towers."

Matt Robinson

First Southampton's routes serving the east of the city are severely disrupted, said a spokesman.

Affected routes are 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, X4 and X5 which are subject to long delays, she added

Routes 8 and 10 are being diverted through Woolston via Peartree Avenue until further notice.

The spokesman said that there are good services on routes to the west of the city but these may also be subject to delay.

Phil Coley, 72, of Quayside, said he was woken up by a loud noise at about 5am.

He added: “I got out of bed, looked out of the French window, and saw a pall of black smoke going across the river.

“I though a boat had gone up.

“It wasn’t until I switched the computer on at 8am that I realised what had happened.

“I feel sorry for the owner of the premise, it has taken him a long time to build the business up and look at it now.”

Bitterne Road West at 11am.

South Coast Ambulance Service posted: ''Supporting ''This is being led by the fire service, we are there supporting them and helping with road closures.'' 

Local resident Ian Sainsbury said: "I was woken soon after five this morning by the sounds of multiple explosions.

"I looked out the window and saw thick black rancid smoke billowing across the sky out on to the River Itchen.

"Fireworks were shooting out in all directions into the air. It's lucky it doesn't seem to have caught alight the tyre firm that's almost next door or it could have been much worse.

"Fire and police were quickly on the scene.

"My son's school is nearby and that has been closed for the day because of the smoke that was billowing across it."

Bitterne Manor Primary School confirmed it has been forced to close for the day.

A statement posted on the school's website says: "We have been advised to close the school today due to a serious fire in the local area that emergency services are dealing with. We hope that everyone in the community is safe and well."

A statement from Southampton City Council, said: "Due to a fire at 151 Bitterne Road West--near the junction with Bullar Road--Bitterne Road West and Bitterne Bridge will remain closed today. Hampshire Police and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crews have responded and will remain on the scene today.

"The fire itself involves the site of the ‘Southern Fireworks Factory’ and the ‘Flower Factory’, and started at around 05:15 this morning. The fire is now under control.

"Several road closures and diversion routes are in place including Bullar Road; Athelstan Road; Macnaughton Road, Maybray King Way; and A3024. There are long delays on the road network including Portsmouth Road and Itchen Bridge inbound as a result of diverted traffic. Hampshire Constabulary have advised that road closures are likely to remain in place throughout the day while the fire service deal with the situation."

"In view of this the council have lifted the toll on the Itchen Bridge until the main route reopens."

"Road works due to commence this morning have been postponed. In addition, work is being undertaken to adjust signal phasing on other main routes that link to the motorway network to assist managing congestion."

"Bitterne Manor Primary School is closed today due to road access restrictions."

"A police cordon is in place and approximately 50-60 residents have been evacuated from 10-15 adjacent properties. A rest centre has been established at nearby Ascension Centre, 1 Thorold Road SO18 1FX in order to shelter residents evacuated from their homes. This centre will be kept open throughout the day and through the night if needed."

Southern Water also warned residents to expect low water pressure due to the incident.

A statement from the company said: "Customers in the Bitterne Road West area of Southampton may be experiencing poor pressure or temporary loss of water supply.

Debris following the explosion in Bitterne Road West

"This is due to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service using a large number of our hydrants to tackle a serious blaze at a fireworks shop in the area.

"Some customers may also experience discolouration to the water supply, this is due to harmless iron oxide sediment which lays naturally of the inside of the main and has been disturbed due to the demand of water.

"We are sorry for the inconvenience caused during this incident and would like to thank our customers for their understanding.

"This should be resolved shortly but just wanted to make your readers aware, in case they are having any short-term issues."

A delicatessen next door, Food Stop, pictured, has lost most of its roof. Much of the inside appears to be burnt out.

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