Dramatic footage has emerged after a fire broke out at a shop that sells fireworks in Southampton, setting rockets off into the sky next to residential streets. Hampshire Fire Service deployed 10 fire engines and as many as 70 fighters to the The Flower Factory garden centre at Bitterne Road West following the blaze, which took place in the early hours of Friday (13 May 2016).

No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, which was eventually brought under control. Emergency services warned that disruption in the area would be likely to continue until the afternoon, and that investigations were under way to determine the cause of the blaze.

Several homes were evacuated, and South Central Ambulance Service warned other local residents to stay inside and keep their windows closed as the fire set off dozens of fireworks and unleashed a huge black cloud over the area. The local primary school was also closed as a result of the incident.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue service spokesperson said: Firefighting efforts are ongoing at the Southampton fire, but the incident is now under control. The fire was contained to a single building and there have been no injuries. As a precaution, properties up to 100m away from the scene have been evacuated. At this time, Bitterne Road West remains closed and were asking motorists to avoid the area.

A Hampshire police spokesman added: This is being led by the fire service, we are there supporting them and helping with road closures.