Fire engines rush to Above Bar Street after smoke seen - live

Above Bar Street is back open as normal.

All Southampton Christmas market rides in Guildhall Square are running as normal. 

(Image: Newsquest)

One worker in a local takeaway restaurant on the same road told our reporter on the scene that firefighters said to his staff around 2.30pm that the fire was under control and that there was no need to leave their building.

Two people standing in the outside section of a pub on Above Bar Street told our reporter on the scene that one fire engine left the scene ‘quite quickly’ after arriving.

The fire service confirmed to the Echo that the fire had been put out before fire crews arrived.

This is the location where one of three fire engines were parked - but no fire fighters remain on the scene.

Gary Yates was doing some Christmas shopping when he walked past and saw the three fire engines, but said that whatever they were called out to ‘wasn’t obvious.’

(Image: Newsquest)

Another restaurant worker told our reporter on the scene: “The fire trucks weren’t here long, but they’ve been gone a while.”

They said that he could not see any smoke despite their building being right next to where fire engines were parked.

One fast-food worker on Above Bar Street said: “I saw three engines here, two on the little taxi rank and one outside KFC.

”It looked like the firefighters couldn’t find what they were looking for and then suddenly drove off. We couldn’t see too much through our windows but it didn’t seem like too big of a situation.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Southampton firefighters were called out shortly before 2pm after smoke was spotted coming from the first-floor of a restaurant building on Above Bar Street.

"St Mary’s and Redbridge crews arrived to find the small fire in an industrial cooker was already out.

"Further crews were stood down before HIWFRS left the scene following the stop message at 14:12."

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called shortly before 2pm.

Smoke had been spotted coming from the first-floor of a restaurant building on Above Bar Street.

Our reporter at the scene has confirmed there are no fire engines remaining on Above Bar Street this afternoon.

The fire engines were spotted between KFC and a row of shops on the busy city centre road, but the exact location of the incident is yet to be confirmed.

This was the scene in Above Bar Street not too long ago as several fire engines descended on the city centre.

(Image: Public) (Image: Public)

Good afternoon and welcome to this live blog.

Firefighters have rushed to Above Bar Street this afternoon after a fire in a restaurant.

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