THOUSANDS of rounds of live ammunition were in danger of exploding as a blaze threatened to sweep through a rifle range near Eastleigh's railway works.

The fire started inside a pair of rail carriages which are used as a private rifle club.

The carriages are on the site of train refurbishment company Alstom and there were fears that about 14,000 rounds of ammunition would go up.

Crews were called to the scene in Campbell Road at 10.53pm last night.

A hazardous materials officer was also called in to deal with a possible asbestos threat.

On discovering that there was no asbestos, officers concentrated the flames that were rapidly spreading through the wooden lined carriages to the ammunition.

Sub officer for the operation, Graham Tatner said: "The fire broke out in the restroom on the carriages where rifle club members make their tea and coffee. Everyone had left for the night but security guards saw the fire and alerted us.

"Our main concern was putting out the fire before it reached the next door room containing the ammunition. I am not sure how big an explosion it would have been but it was all contained in boxes which makes it worse.

"A thermal imaging camera told us that the temperature in the ammunition room was 53C which is very hot. But we managed to get it under control."

Four appliances, including two hose reels, two jets, a water carrier and a special equipment unit were called to the blaze.

It took 22 firefighters about three hours to put out the fire and make the area safe. Mainline rail services using the nearby rail track were unaffected by the fire and ran as normal.

Rail passenger Kylie Wallis, 17, of Campbell Road, who saw the fire while on the train travelling home, said: "From the train I could see lots of smoke and loads of blue flashing lights so I thought it must be quite a big fire. The trains weren't affected though."