Major Fire Near Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium Forces Postponement of Championship Match Against Preston

A major fire near Southampton‘s iconic St Mary's Stadium has led to the postponement of their highly anticipated Championship match against Preston North End. The fire, which erupted in industrial units on Marine Parade, resulted in a massive plume of smoke visible from afar.

Emergency services sprang into action, with one individual receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, there were no other reported injuries, according to the South Central Ambulance Service.

Originally scheduled for 19:45 GMT, the clash between Saints and Preston had to be called off. A substantial cordon was established in the vicinity, prompting advisories for people to steer clear of the area.

Fire incident commander John Amos disclosed that over 100 personnel were at the scene battling the well-developed fire close to St Mary’s Stadium. Collaboration with partner agencies and the Southampton Football Club was emphasized throughout the incident.

The fire engrossed four industrial units, with one unit collapsing in flames. Mr. Amos indicated an extended presence on-site overnight and into the following day.

Due to the ongoing situation, several roads around St Mary’s Stadium have been shut down. Motorists have been urged to avoid the area to ensure smooth movements of emergency vehicles, as communicated by the fire service.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary pitched in with managing road closures to address the exigency. Residents and workers nearby were cautioned to keep windows and doors shut to shield against the copious smoke emanating from the fire.

In their official statement, Southampton expressed gratitude to Preston and the EFL for their understanding. They underscored the necessity of prioritizing the safety of supporters and staff, leading to the decision to postpone the match to a later date.

Describing the scene, BBC reporter Indy Almroth-Wright characterized the blaze as ‘immense,’ with audible ‘pops’ in the vicinity. Curtis Lancaster of the BBC reported smoke billowing over the north stand of St Mary’s Stadium, prompting a stadium evacuation announcement.