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Southampton v Preston postponed as fire crews tackle huge blaze next to stadium

Southampton v Preston has been postponed as fire crews tackle a huge blaze next to St Mary’s Stadium just hours before kick-off.

Daily Echo reported that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service as well as Hampshire Constabulary were contacted to the scene at just after 1pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Marine Parade was quickly closed off between Belvidere Road and Chapel Road due to the incident after large plumes of smoke came out of the industrial estate and blew towards St Mary’s Stadium.

Those nearby were told to avoid the area with emergency services at the scene.

Nikki Delaney, who in the area when the factory went up in flames, said: “The flames are high and it’s getting worse. The heat from the flames is a lot and I’m not even close.”

SOUTHAMPTON STATEMENT:

Southampton Football Club regrets to announce that tonight’s Sky Bet Championship match against Preston North End has been postponed.

The decision was made after consultation with the local authorities and emergency services after a major fire broke out in a building next to the St Mary’s Stadium site earlier today.

The incident has caused significant disruption in the area with road closures around the stadium still in place as fire crews continue to deal with the situation.

We are grateful for the cooperation of Preston and the EFL, and while we appreciate the disappointment fans may feel, we hope they will understand the need to put the safety of supporters and staff of both clubs first.

The game will be postponed to a new date, which will be announced in due course, and all tickets for tonight’s match will be valid for the rearranged fixture.

One journalist for the Daily Echo said: “Me and another reporter had arrived within minutes of finding about the fire, luckily the Echo offices are just around the corner and we got to the site of the fire before any major police cordons had been put into place.

“The large plume coming out of the building was a daunting site.

“Firefighters were already desperately working to fight the fire. Meanwhile warehouse personnel tried to remove stacks of pallets from near the fire.

“There was a sense of awe and fear at the size of the cloud of smoke hanging over our heads and people held their phones in the air to try take pictures – us included.

“I stood metres away from the fire and tried to stay away from getting in the way and tried as hard as I could to not take in too much smell.”

A statement on the fire read: “Crews are currently attending a fire in Marine Parade Southampton. The initial call came in at 1.05pm.

“The fire is affecting industrial units near St Mary’s football stadium.

“There are currently eight fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and other specialist vehicles in attendance.

“People in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke.

“Some roads local to the incident are closed and people are advised to avoid the area to allow movements of emergency vehicles.

“Additional fire engines are now heading to the scene to make it up to 18. The fire is currently involves four industrial units.

‘There is lots of smoke and people the area are reminded to keep doors and windows closed.”

Bluestar bus service said in a tweet: “Due to the road being blocked by the emergency services, the B*7s are unable to serve the following stops, Anglesea Terrace & City College. Services are being routed via Central bridge, Bernard street and Threefield. Apologies if affected.”

Fire in industrial units near St Mary's Stadium, Southampton

Twitter users reacted with Southampton v Preston postponed as fire crews tackle huge blaze next to stadium…

@csummers1610: The lengths we’ll go to, to get a game in hand… 🙄 #saintsfc

@tomc_1984: Where’s a strong, northerly wind, when you need it #Pompey 🔥

@SFCDilly: Gotta feel for the Preston fans. Hopefully the club can discount them in the concourse for when they do come

@yjw_x: How terrible! Hope all okay 🤞🏻🤞🏻 #SaintsFC

@danjarvis91: Gutted but can’t be helped, best wishes to everyone impacted, hope everyone’s safe!

@DanBadminton: Well that’s me having a quiet night in tonight then rather than going to football 😳 #SaintsFC

@jedwardCLM: Will Keanes arrived 🔥🔥

@stevew_pfc: Not ideal preparations for tonight’s game 😳😳 Hope no one is hurt there

@PremStarsHQ: Jesus. Be safe saints

@ConnorThomps0n: Unless this smoke is stopped very quickly I expect this game to be postponed. #SaintFC

@george_goff7: They can play in that!!! Looks just like the average Eastern European football match #SaintsFC

@saint_webb: Highly likely game be off then I’d think?

@MRankin8_: Really wouldn’t be ideal to have yet another game called off, but that’s out of our control and it seems likely it won’t be going ahead at this point. Most important thing however is let’s hope no one is hurt and they get the fire under control soon🤞. #SaintsFC

@charliewring1: What in the name of jesus fucking christ is russell cooking in that office of his #SaintsFC

@mattyyhill: No chance the game is on later is it

@dougsdone: 🎶 our ground’s on fire, your defence is terrified 🎶 #saintsfc

@Totitu18: Don’t worry it’s only Joe aribo arriving at sms #SaintsFC

@Saints_Mike7167: If anyone thinks footballers will be running around breathing in the rancid air that will still be around tonight even if they put the fire out, they really need to think on, I can smell it from the Aldi on Bursledon Rd #SaintsFC

@toastytoad79: St Mary’s is burning down burning down

@PNEPlug: Over halfway to Southampton then I come onto twitter to see there’s a massive fuck off fire next to St Mary’s. For fuck sake lads 😭😭 #pnefc

@Liam_MH1: I could see the smoke from Salisbury whilst driving home. Not a chance the game goes ahead tonight. #saintsfc

@1AndrewMitchell: Is that their automatic promotion chances going up in smoke?

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