Cause of dramatic Portsmouth blaze with gas explosions revealed after investigation

As reported, a massive fire with smoke billowing into the sky was seen after the inferno at around 10.30pm.

It left three mobile homes, a van and the front of heavy goods garage Adams Morey Ltd, on Burrfields Road, alight.

Firefighters took the decision to evacuate Burrfields bridge and for people to shut windows and doors in the area.

Trains were urged to run with caution due to poor visibility.

A woman who saw the fire from her bedroom window said: ‘I heard a bang and looked out my window to see the fire. There were quite frequent explosions. It was like we were being bombed.

‘There were vibrations outside and a lot of smoke with alarms going off.

‘It was a bit of a shock.’

An Adams Morey employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told The News three campervans were damaged in the fire.

'There was also damage to the outside of one of the buildings,' he said.

'But there was no internal damage and no one was at risk.

'We think it may have been caused by an electrical fault. The fire brigade came in the night and sorted it all out.'

Now Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed the cause of the fire – confirming the view it was an electrical fault.

A spokesman said: ‘The fire was caused by an electrical fault within one of the motorhomes involved.’

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The fire was put out in around an hour with no one hurt.

Four pumps, six breathing apparatus, three jets and two hose reels were used to put out the fire.

Cosham fire crews were joined by Portchester, Southsea and Havant.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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