Southampton lab destroyed by fire
Police are investigating after a research facility at Southampton University was destroyed by fire this morning.
The fire, believed to have started in an electronics laboratory in the Mountbatten buildings, required over a hundred fire-fighters to put it out. It was made worse by the presence of gas cylinders at the scene, which are believed to have contained liquid nitrogen.
During the incident, residents close by were told to stay inside and keep their doors and windows shut due to the amount of smoke coming from the burning buildings. Nobody was injured.
Local resident Sarah May told the BBC: "There was a huge explosion, and literally seconds later there were police sirens everywhere. We looked outside and the sky was black. It seems to be lessening now, it's more of a grey colour, but the smoke is unbelievable."
Southampton University said that important research work was carried out there, some of which could have to be started again from scratch. It may take two years to rebuild the facility.
It is not yet known what effect the fire will have on students, but allowances are likely to be made for any who have lost work.
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