Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium faced a dramatic turn of events as a massive fire erupted on an adjacent industrial estate, shrouding the arena in thick black smoke.

The incident led to the evacuation of the 32,000-capacity stadium and the cancellation of the scheduled Championship clash between Southampton and Preston.

Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, setting up a cordon and closing surrounding roads.

The disused factory, reportedly owned by Southampton, became the focal point of the blaze, with flames engulfing the structure and causing the roof to collapse.

Witnesses reported hearing pops from inside the burning building, and the fire, visible from St Mary’s and the surrounding area, led to a closure of roads and a warning for residents to keep windows closed due to the significant amount of smoke.

A loudspeaker announcement instructed stadium staff to evacuate immediately, adding to the surreal scene as firefighters battled the flames with hoses.

The factory, situated on Melbourne Street opposite St Mary’s south stand, suffered severe damage, with three of the four industrial units next to the stadium reportedly destroyed in the fire.

A general view of smoke above St Mary’s Stadium after a fire broke out in Marine Parade, near the stadium. Southampton’s match at home against Preston. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

As emergency services continue to manage the situation, the impact on St Mary’s Stadium and the rescheduling of the postponed match against Preston are subjects of ongoing assessment.

The incident adds an unexpected chapter to Southampton’s season, with the club currently striving for promotion and facing the challenge of potential disruptions caused by the nearby fire.