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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The 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
Hampshire Fire release a statement about the blaze
The statement says: ‘Firefighters from across Portsmouth were first called at 10:07 this morning to a fire which has broken out at a car repair workshop on Goldsmith Avenue in Southsea.
‘Nearby residents are urged to keep windows closed and avoid the area as fire engines from Southsea, Cosham, Portchester, Havant, Fareham, Emsworth, Horndean and Waterlooville are currently on the scene.
‘The blaze in the kitchen area spread to the workshop involving cars, with firefighters working to remove several cylinders from the fire.
‘Several roads in the area have been closed, with residents of Orchard Road evacuated as a precaution.
‘South Central Ambulance Service paramedics are also in attendance, but fortunately no casualties have been reported.
‘Firefighters are also working alongside Hampshire Police, Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Water to resolve the incident.’
Priory School issue another update
Goldsmith Avenue remains closed
According to reports from the scene, Goldsmith Avenue is still closed in both directions.
Closure expected to last for a few more hours.
Evacuated residents can return home, fire service says
Hampshire Fire and Rescue have said that residents from Orchard Road who were evacuated earlier can return home.
A tweet reads: ‘Evacuated residents are able to return to their homes, having been supported by @HantsPolice and emergency planning teams.’
Priory School acts as refuge for 18 toddlers, two babies, 51 adults and two cats
Shocked residents have told of their fear as smoke from a major fire at a car repair workshop engulfed their homes.
Nearby Priory School acted as a refuge for evacuated families – taking in 51 adults, 18 toddlers and babies and two cats.
Pensioner Sylvia Richardson, who lives in Orchard Road, one street down from the fire, said there ‘was so much smoke that she thought her own house must be alight’.
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