FLAMES soared more than 60 feet as a huge fire threatened to engulf a Hampshire industrial estate early today.

Dozens of firefighters from across the county were called to the blaze in the Bevois Valley area of Southampton in the early hours of this morning.

Crews tackling the blaze at a warehouse faced the risk of huge towers of burning wooden pallets toppling on top of them as they tried to bring the fire under control.

An investigation is under way today in to how the fire, which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, started.

It is the second time in less than six months that fire has struck at the company, Portswood Pallets.

In October last near nearby workers had to be evacuated when a blaze broke out at the premises in Empress Road.