Hundreds evacuated from Southampton club after fire

Advertisement

More than 200 people were evacuated from the club

More than 200 revellers had to be evacuated from a Southampton nightclub after a fire in the early hours.

Dozens of firefighters were called to the two-storey Rhino Club in Bedford Place after smoke was seen coming from the roof and top floor.

The fire began at about 0215 GMT while the club was full, but staff managed to evacuate everyone before fire crews arrived. No-one was hurt.

An investigation into the "doubtful" cause of the fire has begun.

A joint inquiry is under way with police to establish how it started.

'Great job'

Six fire engines with supporting vehicles were used to extinguish the blaze.

The roof and first floor suffered smoke damage.

The officer in charge of the incident, station manager Mark White, said "Crews did a great job in tackling the blaze.

"The fire was contained to the rear fire escape and roof space of the nightclub.

"Had it not been for the firefighters' good work this could have been a much more serious incident, with the possibility of further damage to the building and a risk of spread of fire to the adjacent derelict building."

The nightclub was severely damaged in a fire three years ago, when flames broke out in the adjacent Co-op shop and spread under the floorboards.