A huge fire broke out this morning (May 13) at the Flower, and Fireworks Factory (in fact a firework shop, not a factory), on Bitterne Road West, closing local roads and causing rush hour congestion east of the river. Read on for more pics and tweets. Video: ©Tim Forcer
• Bitterne Road West likely to stay partially closed overnight
The noise woke up residents just after 5am, and some locals were evacuated to safety at the Church of Ascension. People across Southampton reported hearing and seeing fireworks going off and smoke from the fire. Ten fire appliances attended, and people were advised to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed. Fire services brought it under control shortly afer 8am. Roads are expected to be closed for some time.
At around 1pm there were still flames and black smoke seen coming from the gutted building (see new pictures below), and Bitterne Road West was still closed to through traffic, although open to those turning left from Athelstan Road. Bullar Road, and Macnaghten Road near Bitterne Station were also closed to pedestrians as well as traffic.
As the evening rush hour approached, police said Bitterne Road West "is still partially closed and is likely to remain so overnight". There's more on this statement here.
Bitterne Road West likely to stay partially closed overnight
Pic: Tim Jackson
Pic: Tim Forcer
A Hampshire Hampshire Fire and Rescue Spokesman told The Guardian: “We got called out at 5.09am and properties within 100m of the fire were evacuated. Nobody has been injured. The fire was contained within the business and we managed to protect other businesses in the area. Bitterne Road West is likely to be closed until around lunchtime.”
Here are some tweets and pictures:
Pic from #Bitterne#fire earlier, fire now under control, thankfully noone inside firework shop at time pic.twitter.com/XxY2DgJvBj
— HampshireFireService (@Hants_fire) May 13, 2016
SCHOOL CLOSED TODAY! (Friday 13th): We have been advised to close the school today due to a serious fire at a... https://t.co/kN6bGXwzRL
— Bitterne Manor (@BMPrimarySchool) May 13, 2016
We advise that people in the local #Bitterne area to keep doors & windows closed. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/O0e0DNiiTo
— SCAS HART (@SCAS_HART) May 13, 2016
@richdotfagan Looks like Bitterne Road West, Bullar Road, Cobbett Road and Macnaghten Road are all CLOSED.
— ROMANSE (@ROMANSE) May 13, 2016
Wave 105 are reporting the fire has closed Bitterne Road West, Bullar Road, Cobbett Road & Athelstan Road.
Fire in #Bitterne closing Bitterne Road West, Bullar Road, Cobbett Road & Athelstan Road. AVOID! https://t.co/SOy3qsXKKz
— Wave105Travel (@Wave105Travel) May 13, 2016
.@Hants_fire say they have 70 firefighters on scene in #Bitterne#Southampton dealing with blaze at fireworks factory
— BBC Radio Solent (@BBCRadioSolent) May 13, 2016
View near Bitterne Station, Pic: Boris Bluemel
Smoke as seen from Riverside Park. Pic: Sandra Revell
The fire service was still putting out the flames, and Bitterne Road West and other nearby roads were closed - many to pedestrians as well as vehicles - at around 1pm Friday. Pic: Guy Phillips
Bitterne Park West - unusually free from cars.
Article edited and updated as events unfolded