Massive Blaze Hits Fleet Services on M3 – Over 100 Firefighters Battle Overnight Inferno
More than 100 firefighters spent the night battling a huge fire that gutted the southbound side of Fleet Services on the M3 in Hampshire. The flames were so fierce, both northbound and southbound carriageways had to be shut down as thick smoke threatened drivers’ visibility.
Fire Erupts from Coffee Machine at KFC
The blaze broke out just after 10.30pm on Wednesday (14 December) when a staff member at KFC spotted their coffee machine on fire and called it in. Fire crews from across Hampshire and Surrey rushed to the scene.
Hartley Wintney’s team arrived first but quickly needed backup as the fire exploded through the restaurant roof. Flames shot up to 30 feet into the air, turning the site into a scene resembling the infamous Buncefield oil fire.
Water Supply Issues Hampers Firefighting Efforts
Crews faced major challenges due to low water pressure in the area. Seven water carriers were brought in, working in relay to keep supplies flowing. Meanwhile, a Hazardous Area Response Team from the South East Coast Ambulance stood by all night.
No Injuries but Serious Damage
Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. Hampshire Fire and Rescue confirmed no casualties but said the service building suffered severe fire and smoke damage. Police have kept lane one of the M3 southbound closed near the service station to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze safely.
Investigation Underway
Hampshire Police and Fire Services will launch a full investigation to pinpoint the fire’s cause. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
