Southsea road closed after street evacuated overnight due to reported 'explosion'
Residents were evacuated, with locals describing a loud bang and shaking last night
Residents were evacuated from their homes in Southsea late last night after reports of an ‘explosion’ and the appearance of a huge hole in one of the external walls of the building.
The entrance to the building is still closed off with tape today and 8 Kent Road remains shut from the junction with Nightingale Road to the junction with Castle Road.
Local resident Stephanie Lewis, who lives a few doors down from Ophir Court, heard a “really loud” bang and felt “shaking” at around 10pm on August 17.
“Lots of people came out of their houses to try and find out where the destruction was and to see if everyone was okay,” she said.
“We were all evacuated. The fire brigade turned up and knocked us all to tell us to come out.”
“There were about three fire engines and lots of police and ambulance,” she said.
“We were all let back maybe just after midnight, but my understanding is that the residents of Ophir Court were displaced last night.”
The incident was initially reported to the fire service as an explosion, however fire services have confirmed there was no mention of gas in the incident log.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service said: “Residents were evacuated from flats on Kent Road last night after a partial collapse of a third-floor external wall. Firefighters from Southsea and Cosham were alerted at around half 10.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the block, along with the adjacent building, had to be evacuated due to structural damage.
The incident was handed over to the local authority in order for them to arrange temporary accommodation for occupants.
Crews left the scene shortly after one o'clock this morning.”
A spokesperson for Portsmouth City Council said: "Emergency services responded overnight to a partial collapse of an exterior wall at Ophir Court, Kent Road, Southsea. The cause of the collapse is currently unknown and there were no reported casualties. Following an assessment of the building, eight flats at Ophir Court and three basement flats in neighbouring Nightingale Road were evacuated as a precaution and residents are unable to return until the property has been made safe.
“Portsmouth City Council worked with emergency services to support affected residents, including providing emergency accommodation where required. Barriers and cordons remain in place around the affected area while assessments are carried out, and Kent Road remains closed with diversions in place. Kent Road remains closed at this time. We do not currently have a timescale for reopening."