'Several gardens on fire' between two Southampton streets in Bitterne Park

Firefighters were called to Hillside Avenue and Newton Road this afternoon.

Jed Clist, 20, a film production student at Southampton Solent University, lives nearby.

He told the Daily Echo:”I was home but I didn’t know anything until I heard noises in my back garden.

"I looked out the window and saw there was a big fire next door and in my garden as well.

"It was a bit of a shock.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue crew mananger and incident commander Adam Bundle confirmed that six gardens have been affected by the fire.

Firefighters are on the scene at a large fire in the open in #BitternePark. If you live in the area please keep your windows and doors closed @StMarys54 @Hightown56 @Eastleigh32 https://t.co/FCgRBSptPd

— HampshireFireService (@Hants_fire) May 21, 2018

Crews from St Mary's, Hightown, and Eastleigh were at the scene tackling the blaze from both sides, which was extinguished by late afternoon.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.