Huge explosion outside Southampton Westquay sends shoppers fleeing

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A busy shopping centre has been evacuated after an explosion caused a huge fireball to burst into the sky.

Cylinders inside a van parked outside the Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton exploded earlier this morning.

The shopping centre’s food court was evacuated, it’s been reported, with a siren going off in the car park also urging people to evacuate.

The exploding cylinders caused a thick plume of black smoke to rise into the sky, which has since been cleared by the fire service using ventilators.

Police and the fire service raced to the scene, which has since been confirmed by fire crews as accidental.

By 11am the fire had been extinguished, but there was still significant amount of smoke in the area.

WITH VIDEO A popular city centre shopping centre was today evacuated after a vehicle exploded and caused a huge fireball. Members of the public were left shocked after the van burst into flames with a huge bang at the shopping centre. Firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze outside Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton, Hants, today [Wednesday]. A huge plume of 'thick' black smoke was seen across the city as it billowed in the air. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. Please byline: James Bicaldo for Daily Echo/Solent News ?? James Bicaldo for Daily Echo/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800 — The van thought to have been involved being doused with water by firefighters (Picture: James Bicaldo for Daily Echo/Solent News)

The fire service said it could take ‘some time’ until the incident is fully resolved, adding: ‘We thank everyone for their patience while we deal with this matter.

‘We expect to have a presence on site for some time.’

Emily Robinson, who was on her way to work when she heard a loud bang from the train station, said: ‘It is a big pillar of smoke. It looks like quite a large fire.

‘There seemed to be at one point a big bang. That could have come from the fire.

‘There was a fire engine that came down at speed past the bus I was on, so the fire crew are on their way.

The van exploded in a huge fireball (Picture: Solent News)

‘I was just wondering what was really going on. Especially because we have had so many fires recently.’

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed they were called to Harbour Parade at 9.37am, and have put road closures in place while the fire service tackle the blaze.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Crews from St Mary’s, Redbridge and Hightown are currently in attendance at a vehicle fire following reports of smoke and flames at the back of Westquay, Southampton at just after 9.30am this morning.

‘People are asked to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident. Harbour Parade is closed in both directions.’

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