SOUTHAMPTON Stadium was evacuated after being engulfed in smoke due to a huge chimney burning at its doorstep.
St Mary’s was shrouded in thick black clouds as flames burned in a factory in a nearby shopping area, prompting the Saints’ clash with Preston to be cancelled tonight.
It came just hours before tonight’s clash with Preston, and Southampton’s official X account announced that the game had been cancelled.
Emergency personnel rushed to the scene Wednesday afternoon before building a cordon and the last adjacent roads.
Dramatic video captured the moment firefighters battled the flames with hoses as smoke rose into the air.
The fireball flew over St Mary’s and the surrounding area, leaving locals stunned.
A loudspeaker was heard ordering staff to evacuate the 32,000-capacity stadium without delay, while citizens in the surrounding area were asked to close all windows.
The factory in question is said to be owned by Southampton and has recently been shut down.
According to the BBC, “pops” may be heard coming from inside.
The chimney, the roof to collapse and all the windows to explode.
The factory is on Melbourne Street and opposite St Mary’s South Stand.
A Fire and Rescue incident report reads: “Lately, crews are witnessing a fire at Marine Parade Southampton.
“The first call came at 1:05 p. m. The fire affected commercial premises near the St Mary’s football stadium.
“There are currently 8 fire engines, 2 aerial platforms with ladders and other vehicles on site.
“Residents in the area should keep doors and windows closed because of the amount of smoke.
“Some roads near the incident are closed and others are asked to come to the area to allow emergency vehicle traffic. “
It was later revealed that 3 of the 4 commercial sets next to St Mary’s had been destroyed in the fire.
The fire comes hours before the collision between the Southampton home and Preston.
The Saints are desperate to win after missing eight points from automatic promotion to the Premier League.
But now they will have to wait for a date postponed to later in the season.
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