Loud bangs could be heard across Southampton last night (31 August) as gas cylinders exploded during a warehouse fire.
The fire, which caused a large plume of smoke, broke out in a lorry-servicing warehouse.
Six crews were called to the incident at 7.26pm.
A spokesman from Hampshire Fire and Rescue explained: “The fire caused loud bangs due to exploding cylinders in the building and a large plume of smoke which did not cause any risk to people living nearby.
“Crews worked hard to control the fire using jets and an aerial ladder platform.
“There were no injuries to the public but unfortunately the building was extremely damaged by the fire.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.
