PART of a huge tree came crashing down at the height of the storm and blocked a Southampton street.

Residents ran out of their homes in Borrowdale Road, Millbrook, last night after half the base of an oak tree split off from the rest of the trunk.

A large section of tree almost 60ft long landed in the road, demolishing a lamp post and narrowly missing parked cars.

Residents said the tips of the fallen branches were actually touching some of the vehicles in the street, including a BMW and a Vauxhall Corsa.

Jessica Emery, who lives nearby, said: "It was about 11pm when I heard a huge crash outside that sounded like thunder.

"A lot of people came running out of their homes to see what was going on. Part of the tree had come down and was blocking the road.

"Part of the tree just sort of peeled off from the rest of the trunk. Tree surgeons turned up at 2am and were sawing it up until 4.30am."

Neighbour Steve Humphries added: "I heard a huge crack and knew a tree was going. It knocked a lamp post over and all the wires were left hanging out.

"Tree surgeons used chainsaws, a generator and a big shredding machine. It caused a lot of noise but the road had to be cleared."

Another resident said: "It's a miracle no-one was walking or driving past when the tree came down. They’d have been killed.”