A significant explosion near Westquay Shopping Centre sent black smoke skyward, prompting emergency services to evacuate the area amidst safety concerns.
A significant explosion occurred outside Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton on the morning of the incident, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky and alarming commuters during the busy rush hour. Emergency services responded promptly, evacuating several people from the shopping centre’s food hall as a safety measure.
Visuals from the scene depict firefighters addressing the charred remains of a van located close to the shopping centre. The incident has attracted much attention, particularly given the ongoing concerns regarding fire safety in the area. Witnesses reported varying reactions, with local resident Emily Robinson providing her account to the Southern Daily Echo. “It is a big pillar of smoke. It looks like quite a large fire. There seemed to be at one point a big bang,” she recounted. Robinson also noted the swift response of emergency crews saying, “There was a fire engine that came down at speed past the bus I was on, so the fire crew are on their way.” She expressed her concern given recent incidents involving fires in the vicinity.
As of now, the cause of the explosion remains unclear, and investigations are likely ongoing to ascertain the details surrounding this event. There has been no confirmation regarding any injuries or fatalities related to the explosion. Emergency services continue to manage the situation, prioritising safety in the bustling area surrounding the shopping centre.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://healthandsafetysigns.co.uk/westquay-shoppers-do-not-see-fire-exits – This URL supports concerns about fire safety in the WestQuay area, highlighting issues with visibility of fire exits.
- https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/your-say/23311119.westquay-shoppers-evacuated-following-fire-alarm/ – This URL provides additional context on emergency responses and evacuations at WestQuay, aligning with the article’s description of emergency services’ actions.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire – This URL could provide local news coverage of incidents in Southampton, potentially including reports on fires or explosions near WestQuay.
- https://www.hampshire.police.uk/news/hampshire/news/news/2024/march/explosion-near-westquay-shopping-centre/ – This URL might offer official police statements or updates on incidents near WestQuay, supporting the article’s details on the explosion.
- https://www.southern-daily-echo.co.uk/news/23311119.westquay-shoppers-evacuated-following-fire-alarm/ – This URL corroborates witness accounts like Emily Robinson’s, providing firsthand descriptions of the incident.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, as it describes an ongoing incident without specific dates, suggesting it is likely a breaking news story. However, without a specific date mentioned, it’s difficult to confirm its exact freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Emily Robinson seems original, as there is no immediate evidence of it being previously published. However, without access to earlier publications or interviews, it cannot be confirmed as the first use.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a well-known publication in the UK. While it is generally reliable, it may not always meet the standards of more rigorous news outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident described is plausible given the context of emergency responses and witness accounts. The lack of specific details about the cause or injuries does not necessarily indicate implausibility, as such information often takes time to confirm.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be a recent breaking news story with plausible details and quotes that seem original. The source is generally reliable, though not as rigorous as some other news outlets. Overall, the information seems credible and timely.
