Smoke billows from flat in Cosham as firefighters battle blaze and public warned to 'avoid area'

Thick smoke is pouring into the sky from a flat as the public have been urged to ‘avoid the area’.

Firefighters from several stations are tackling the blaze in Portsmouth Road this afternoon. The public have been gathering on the bridge at Cosham Railway Station to see the scene, with clouds of smoke whistling over the Royal Kebab House and the station platform.

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A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) spokesperson said: “We were called to a fire in a flat on Portsmouth Road, Cosham at 15:20 this afternoon. Crews from Cosham, Fareham, Havant, Hightown, Horndean, Portchester and Southsea are in attendance.

“We’re asking residents to avoid the area due to smoke, which is also impacting the platform at Cosham railway station.”

In a separate social media statement, HIWFRS said the Cosham Railway Station platform has been evacuated due to the smoke. They urged nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

Video footage shows firefighters trying to enter the address to tackle the flames.