DOZENS of firefighters rushed to a university research site after a blaze broke out in a workshop.

Smoke was seen coming from the University of Southampton's National Oceanography Centre after a fire started involving plastic materials.

Crews from St Mary's, Redbridge and Hightown were called to the site on European Way, in Southampton's Eastern Docks, at 3.45pm.

But a spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident was a “small fire” which was quickly extinguished by 4.30pm.

South Central Ambulance Service also deployed an ambulance and members of hazardous area response team.

There were no casualties, a spokesman said.