A fire has ripped through a warehouse recently used to grow hundreds of cannabis plants - here is what we know so far.
The former cannabis factory off Portswood Road “went up in flames” sending smoke pouring into the air.
Firefighters from eight stations across Southampton and Hampshire rushed to the scene just before 5.40pm on Sunday to find the building engulfed in flames.
Station manager Tim Harrison said there were “10-foot flames” busting out of the building behind Victory Gospel Church.
Portswood Road was cordoned off to allow firefighters to operate.
Fire breaks out at Portswood warehouse - As it happened
‘The sky was orange’
Emma Coleman, 19, a student at the University of Southampton and resident of Tennyson Road, said: “We heard some crackling at first out at the back, we could see from the bedroom windows the sky was all orange.
“It was quite scary, it calmed down for a bit and then it got bigger and there was a moment when we thought, 'oh this could travel quite close to us.'”
READ MORE: Almost 600 cannabis plants seized after warehouse raid
‘We packed our bags in case we were asked to evacuate’
A few doors down, Evie Webb, 23, said: “At first, we thought we heard fireworks. When we opened our curtain, we saw embers flying down and we thought that maybe next door had a fire.
“When we went out in the garden we saw the warehouse with a huge hole in the roof and flames coming from the hole in the roof.
“It went out for a bit but then it came back worse and bigger.
“Because there was a bit of distance between our house and the fire we weren’t as scared, but we did pack bags just in case they asked us to evacuate because the smoke was quite bad.”
Jorja Haider and her four flatmates described seeing the roof of the warehouse “go up in flames”.
READ MORE: 'Very large' cannabis factory found after raid at warehouse
In December, police raided the property and seized 591 plants, however, no one was arrested.
In a statement, Hampshire police said it is working alongside Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to “ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident”.
A spokesperson added that the inquiries relating to the cannabis factory remain ongoing and that the impact of the fire on the investigation is still unclear.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel