Explosion 'shakes caravans' as huge fire breaks out in UK harbour

01 May 2023 , 01:26

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Firefighters were called to Southwold Harbour shortly before 1am (Image: sara_bland1103/Twitter)

An explosion was heard before a fire ripped through a harbour in the early hours.

Residents reported hearing a loud bang with an explosion so loud it shook nearby caravans at Blackshore Quay in Southwold.

Firefighters from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were called shortly before 1am and rushed to the scene in Ferry Road in eight fire engines.

Photos show large orange flames as plumes of smoke spread across the sky.

People on the campsite said caravans were shaking (sara_bland1103/Twitter)

Gas bottles exploded as the blaze grew (sara_bland1103/Twitter)

One local tweeted: "Massive explosion followed by fire in Southwold Harbour. Explosion shook the caravan."

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Another said: "We were staying at the campsite and heard the fire, then explosions as the gas bottles exploded."

The fire service said the blaze caused "extensive damage" to fishermen's huts and two chip shops.

Fishermen's huts and two chip shops were damaged (Colin Barber/Twitter)

In a tweet at around 6am, it said: "A fire overnight has caused extensive damage to fishermens' huts and two fish and chip shops at Blackshore Quay in Southwold.

"The incident is now over but Ferry Road will be closed off today as investigations get underway and the public is asked to avoid the area."

Katie Mansfield