MORE than 30 firefighters battled a bookshop fire in Southampton today.
Fire crews rushed to the scene of the blaze at Waterstones on Above Bar Street.
The blaze broke out around 12.23pm, according to Hampshire Fire and Rescue.
Staff and customers were evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters, who raced to the scene from St Mary's, Redbridge, Hightown, Eastleigh and Fareham.
Support crews are also in attendance.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus and hose jets to get the blaze under control.
Above Bar Street was closed in both directions while firefighters battled the blaze.
However, as of 5pm, the road was now open again.
#BellsDown: The @Waterstones bookshop fire on Above Bar Street in Southampton is now out, extinguished by crews from @StMarys54, @Redbridge53, @Hightown56, @Eastleigh32 , Service Headquarters and @Fareham17. https://t.co/9Kr7Bx3VeA pic.twitter.com/kTFcvbytoB
— HampshireFireService (@Hants_fire) March 6, 2018
One witness filmed the incident shortly after it broke out.
The video (below) shows smoke spilling from the shop.
More to follow...
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