On 10 April 2024, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (HIWFRS) responded to a fire involving 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal at Southampton Docks.
After being alerted to the fire, HIWFRS dispatched crews from Redbridge, St Mary's, and Romsey fire stations to the docks in Southampton at 8.45am.
HIWFRS later confirmed in an update that the fire involved “more than 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal”.
"On-site workers are currently using machinery to break down 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal to extinguish the fire," HIWFRS said.
Eyewitnesses told the Southern Daily Echo that there was a “lot of smoke” surrounding the site and HIWFRS urged local residents to keep windows and doors closed while the incident was ongoing
Several hours later, HIWFRS gave another update on the fire, adding that the incident had been brought “under control” and that fire crews had left the scene.
As reported by BBC News, a spokesperson for Associated British Ports (ABP) said:
“We are aware of reports of a fire in a scrap storage area on the port.
"ABP staff are on site supporting operational staff from port users and response services who have attended the incident.
"The incident has now been brought under control without any wider impacts and response teams have been stood down.”