FIREFIGHTERS were called to the scene of a blaze in Southampton city centre.

Three pumps and up to 15 firefighters battled the blaze off Portland Street this afternoon.

The incident is said to have taken hold of a storage area in Scullards Lane.

Emergency services were called at 15.46.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “All persons have been accounted for.

"There were no requests for an ambulance.”

Fire chiefs reported the blaze had been extinguished shortly after 4pm.

Chris Harrod, 37, a bank worker, whose wife owns a shop near where the incident took place, said: “It was a bit of a commotion.

"There was smoke billowing out of the ground floor property. It’s lucky the fire service were prepared.

"They could have sent just one engine but they sent three in case it was bigger than it actually was.

"They cordoned off the area. I saw them with their hoses.”