A POPULAR city centre shopping centre was today evacuated after a vehicle exploded and caused a huge fireball.
Members of the public were left shocked after the van burst into flames with a huge bang at the shopping centre.
An explosion and fireball is seen at Westquay, Southampton, this morning[/caption]
Firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze outside Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton, Hants, today.
A huge plume of ‘thick’ black smoke was seen across the city as it billowed in the air.
Dramatic footage taken from the scene shows the moment the white van bursts into flames with a ‘loud bang.
Kat Annells said she saw ‘loads of thick smoke’ before ‘loads of emergency services’ headed to the area.
Mike Fellows said: “There was a loud bang followed by a lot of dark smoke rising from behind the car park area…”
Plumes of dark smoke can be seen in the sky.
Delivery driver Sheikh Emad Uddin Billal said: “I noticed a car on fire with a crowd of people watching – I stopped my motorcycle and make this video as a delivery driver I always pass this way.” (sic)
It is understood that the food court in the Westquay shopping centre has had to be evacuated.
A siren in the car park was sounded, telling people to evacuate.
Emily Robinson was on her way to work when she heard a loud bang from the train station. She said: “It is a big pillar of smoke.
“It looks like quite a large fire. There seemed to be at one point a big bang. That could have come from the fire.
“There was a fire engine that came down at speed past the bus I was on, so the fire crew are on their way.
“I was just wondering what was really going on. Especially because we have had so many fires recently.”
