AN eyewitness to a fire at a car workshop has said she heard a "massive bang" before seeing "flames higher than the treeline".
As previously reported, I Deal Cars, in Station Road, Cliddesden, caught fire overnight in the early hours of Saturday, August 24.
Around 35 firefighters attended the scene to tackle the "large blaze", with crews from Basingstoke, Odiham, Hartley Wintney and Tadley being assisted by support vehicles from Eastleigh, Fleet and Andover.
The fire service said the building, containing multiple vehicles and gas cylinders, was "well alight" upon arrival, with hose reels and jets in use to extinguish the flames.
READ MORE: Firefighters tackle 'large blaze' at car workshop near Basingstoke
Now, an eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, has explained what she saw to the Gazette, saying she initially heard a "strange popping noise" but "didn't think much of it," before a "massive bang," which "shook" the house.
She said: "At around 1.30am, I could hear a strange popping noise outside but didn’t think much of it, then there was a massive bang, really loud and the house and windows shook.
"It must have been a cylinder exploding, we went outside to see flames higher than the treeline.
"Firefighters were already there at that point and were working quickly to take control."
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "Around 35 firefighters were called to the scene of a car workshop blaze in Cliddesden at 2am.
"Crews from Basingstoke, Odiham, Hartley Wintney and Tadley were assisted by support vehicles from Eastleigh, Fleet and Andover.
"The building containing multiple vehicles and gas cylinders was well alight upon arrival, with hose reels and jets in use to extinguish the flames.
"Crews dampened down before the incident was handed over to police officers ahead of a fire investigation in the morning.
"The stop message came in at 4:30."
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called to a report of a fire at a unit on Station Road, Cliddesden shortly before 2am today (Saturday 24 August).
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the fire."
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