Portsmouth fire: Recap updates as major fire in Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea causes residents to be evacuated and road closures
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The fire has happened at a car repair workshop in Goldsmith Avenue in Southsea at around 10am this morning and more than 40 firefighters are attending the scene.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue have said: ‘More than 40 firefighters are currently at the scene of a large fire in Goldsmith Avenue, Portsmouth.
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Hide Ad‘Please avoid the area to allow our emergency crews access.’
Police have said that a road closure is in place.
Residents in Orchard Road were evacuated earlier and taken to the sports centre at nearby Priory School.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue have said that the evacuees can now return home.
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Hide AdThe fire service said: ‘Evacuated residents are able to return to their homes, having been supported by Hampshire police and emergency planning teams.’
Pictures show large plumes of smoke in the sky – which were visible from the ferry to the Isle of Wight.
We will bring you all the latest updates in our live blog below.
Stick with us throughout the morning for all the coverage.
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Recap updates as firefighters battled blaze in Portsmouth
Key Events
- Fire is in Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea
- More than 40 firefighters attending
- Homes evacuated in the area
Here are some of the photos of the fire we’ve been sent this morning
‘I'm not sure when we are going to be able to get back in.'
Michael Coles, 55, was visiting his brother, Tony, at his flat in Birdam House.
Michael said: 'Tony got a call from his son who lives downstairs to say the car repair place was on fire. Looking out of the window you could see a real thick smoke.
‘Emergency services were everywhere and there were several firemen pointing hoses towards the building.
‘You could smell the smoke in the flat and when we came outside it was even worse. I'm not sure when we are going to be able to get back in.'
‘It was really quite worrying.'
More from Sylvia Richards, 82 (see post below for video of her talking about the fire).
She said: ‘It was really quite worrying. The air was so thick with smoke that I couldn't see to the end of the garden. The smoke was coming down my chimney pot and I initially thought it must be my house that was on fire.
‘The police told us to evacuate and we are still not sure when we can return. At the time I was concerned about my house catching fire.'
Priory School issue update to parents
Priory School, which is down the road from the scene of the fire in Goldsmith Avenue, have issued an update to parents.
The statement on Facebook reads: ‘We were made aware of the fire in our vicinity and took immediate action to safeguard students and staff.
‘All members of our school community are safe and we are working with the emergency services to provide support to those in our local community who need shelter.
‘We would like to thank our staff, parents and students for their swift and collaborative actions. We will continue to update parents and staff via email, text and on our website.’
Car repair garage owner 'sick as a pig' after workshop 'flattened' in blaze
The owner of a car repair garage ‘flattened’ in a major blaze has said he feels ‘as sick as a pig’.
Trevor Byng, 46, told The News the blaze erupted in the kitchen at his workshop in Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, this morning at around 10.07am.
More than 40 firefighters were called in to tackle the fire but his garage has been left ‘flat’.
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