Safety Consulting Services client to the rescue

More than 50 firefighters have been tackling a large blaze at a car repair in Hampshire.

One eyewitness described seeing “a huge explosion” and a “fire ball at least 50 to 60ft high” coming from the building in Denmead, near Waterlooville.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services who are one of Safety Consulting Services clients said everyone had been accounted for. Two men were treated for minor burns and left in the care of the ambulance service.

A spokesman for the Fire Service said: ‘We were called to an incident at the car repairers at Sheepwash Lane  at 4.08 pm. Fire crews found two people with minor burns who have since been sent to hospital.’

We received lots of calls about large plumes of black smoke were visible from surrounding areas.

Portchester Fire Crew have also tweeted that ‘the whole building – 90 metres by 70 metres – was ablaze’.

The blaze was brought under control by 18:00. A cylinder valve was later found in a nearby field.

Eight fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were called to the workshop.

Residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed and drivers were urged to avoid the area.

Whilst a full investigation is currently being carried out to ascertain the cause of the fire, the crews involved have confirmed they believe acetylene cylinders containing gas were involved in the explosion.

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