Portsmouth fire: Goldsmith Avenue blaze scene captured in dramatic eyewitness videos

More than 40 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in Goldsmith Avenue, Southsea, this morning.

The car repair workshop building, number 227, is owned by Byngs Autos.

Residents close to the scene saw thick, dark smoke slowly pluming from the site just after 10am.

As the acrid substance began to rise it was soon visible right across the city – even from the other side of Portsmouth Harbour.

FOLLOW THE STORY: Live updates as more than 40 firefighters are called to tackle fire in Southsea

People living in homes close to the repair shop were evacuated and eyewitness videos show why.

A clip taken by Rachel Measday sees the blaze’s first clouds of smoke move threateningly low behind residential properties, particularly those in Orchard Road to the building’s rear.

A video taken by Stephen McShane, from the first floor of a nearby home, illustrates just how quickly it then began to darken and filter out into the surrounding area.

Resident Reece Edwards was on the ground in Goldsmith Avenue and captured firefighters’ initial arrival at the scene, with the first fire engine seemingly disappearing into a mass of smoke as brave crews rushed into harm’s way.

IN PICTURES: Major Goldsmith Avenue blaze captured in photos

As Mr Edwards’ clip pans up, smoke is seen surrounding Hollinsworth House, an apartment block recently built by Vivid Homes.

This too was evacuated and crowds of residents and police can be seen standing on the pavement outside, as captured in a video by our reporter at the scene, Neil Fatkin.

You can watch our collection of videos of the incident at the top of this story.

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