Hundreds of hay bales destroyed in late-night fire in Southwick

In Portchester Lane, Southwick, around 300 hay bales caught fire last night, scrambling fire crews to the scene.

Once there, firefighters spent eight hours tacking the fire, as the smoke rose into the sky and could be smelled as far as Hilsea.

It was a large operation for the fire service – but the exact cause of the incident remains unknown.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘It was a fire in the open with around 300 bales of hay.

‘Appliances from Cosham and Portchester were called to the incident, alongside a Land Rover from Fareham Fire Station.

‘We were called out at 10.12pm last night, and the stop message didn’t come in until 6.19am.’

The hay bales were completely destroyed in the fire.

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