Hybrid cars spark massive fire at Southampton docks as locals report 'horns and explosions'

A major vehicle has seen the destruction of dozens of hybrid vehicles in the south of England, prompting an urgent warning from emergency services.

Multiple crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service at around 4.20am on Wednesday, June 3, to a fire at a vehicle storage compound in Southampton.

Around 33 hybrid vehicles are believed to have been involved, with firefighters using jets, an aerial ladder platform and ground monitors to tackle the blaze.

At the peak of the incident, there were 10 fire engines, two water carriers, an aerial ladder platform and support vehicles.

Ground monitors allow a single firefighter to project a safe, long-range stream to deliver "massive volumes" of water or foam.

The fire service advised local residents to keep their windows and doors closed, although there were no reported injuries.

Posting on Facebook, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews were in attendance on West Bay Road in Southampton.

It also reiterated the warning for people in and around the area to close their doors and windows due to the smoke.

Reports suggest that the cars involved belonged to a Chinese car brand, with a retail price of around £27,000.

Images from the scene show significant damage to the vehicles, including some that are completely burnt out.

It is believed that Associated British Ports (ABP), which operates the dockyard where the fire took place, is investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "There has been a fire in a vehicle storage compound in the Western Docks area of the Port of Southampton.

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"All personnel are safely accounted for. The fire is now out and has impacted around 25 vehicles.

"ABP staff are supporting the incident response services in their work."

Speaking to the Daily Echo, one nearby resident said they were woken up by "car horns and explosions" at around 3.30am.

They added that the fire had been put out at around 5.40am, although the "thick" smoke lingered in the air, in addition to an "acidic smell".

Data from the Civil Contingencies Agency in Sweden shows there have been just 23 fire incidents involving electric cars, representing just 0.004 per cent of the nation's total fleet of 611,000 EVs.

In comparison, there have been 34,000 fires from the 4.4 million petrol and diesel cars, representing 0.08 per cent.

The data suggests that electric cars are 20 times less likely to result in fires when compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.