FIREFIGHTERS spent almost 24 hours at a fire that left four businesses in tatters.

Part of Southampton came to a standstill on Thursday (April 20) as flames engulfed four car repair services, with police closing roads and the ambulance service advising residents to shut doors and windows.

After the blaze on Empress Road, fire crews remained at the scene until 9.25am yesterday (Friday 21), as the scene remained unsafe.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue have launched an investigation into the cause.

They also visited nearby enterprises, offering support and reassurance to neighbouring properties.

Firefighters from Hightown, Redbridge, Eastleigh, Cosham, Romsey and St Mary’s all raced to the warehouse shortly before midday, with thick black smoke pouring from city rooftops and residents emptying onto the streets.

The owner of one of the businesses, Jhalman Rai, said the fire was 40 years of business down the drain for J S Autos, which was gutted.

He said: “Smoke started coming from a car that was being worked on next door and all of a sudden it just went up, flames everywhere and we had to get out.”

Kaldeep Rai, company director, said: “Our heads are all over the place, we aren’t ready to talk and we don’t know what damage has been caused yet.”

Crews spent yesterday morning visiting neighbouring businesses offering support.

Sean Collins, operations manager at nearby TyreWork, said he wasn’t worried being close to the flames, after incident commander Kevin Evenett said the thick black smoke was down to tyres, grime and oil.

He said: “We’re at a safe distance, there were bangs and huge flames, but we’re not worried about our business.”

“Our stop message was received on Friday at 9.25, with crews on scene through the night damping down and making it safe.

“All four properties were damaged but all persons accounted for.