PEOPLE living in a block of flats were forced to evacuate after a suspected drink-driver crashed into their building in the middle of the night.

A gaping hole has been left in The Newlands in Portswood Road after a white BMW 316 smashed into the block at around 1.25am on Thursday.

A cordon was in place into the morning as experts ensured the structure was safe. A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and criminal damage.

Daily Echo:

It comes as police and firefighters were called to three separate incidents during the early hours of the morning.

READ MORE: Man, 46, arrested after BMW crashes into flats

A Portswood Road resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard a lot of noise really early. 

"It woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep."

Darren Page, of Broadlands Road, said: "I heard a lot of shouting early hours but thought nothing of it.

"Got up this morning and our friend had texted us to say the road was closed, had a peek down there and there were police taping off the road."

A police spokesperson added: "The road was closed due to the need to ensure the structural stability of the house."

Just a few minutes' walk away, four parked cars were hit in Woodside Road in Portswood at around 2am.

Daily Echo:

People in the area have told of their shock at the incident.

Police are now working to identify the driver of the vehicle who left the scene following the crash.

READ MORE: Parked cars crashed into on residential road

Resident Freddie Good said the crash happened on his doorstep.

The 22-year-old said: “I didn’t hear or see anything at all, but it must’ve been quite a heavy crash.

“I was lucky really as my car was right by where it happened.”

Fellow resident Tom Carew, 28, said he was warned about the aftermath outside.

He said: “I came out this morning and the car that did it was still on the road, at the top.

“My housemate was up when it happened and warned me about it. I think that the World Cup has got people acting stupid.”

A silver Hyundai Matrix was wedged between a black Polo and a white Mini, while a grey Mazda and a Ford Ka were also damaged.

Officers are investigating the incident.

Emergency services also rushed to Burlington Road after a white Hyundai burst into flames. 

Emergency services were called out at 2.09am on Wednesday.

The cause of the blaze is currently unexplained, police said.

READ MORE: Car busts into flames in 'unexplained' incident

A 19-year-old student, who lives in the area, said: "I was quite surprised to see the car. I don't think it was anything nasty.

"It looks like a fault with the engine or something as it's only the front of the car that went up.

"Glad no one was hurt and the fire was put out quickly."

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 2.09am on Wednesday, November 23 by our colleagues at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service making us aware of a car fire on Burlington Road.

"We attended and have spoken to the owner of the vehicle.

"The cause of the fire is currently unexplained and the incident has been filed at the current time. This will be reviewed should any further lines of enquiry become available."

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