INVESTIGATIONS were today continuing into two fires which caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage.

Arsonists have been blamed for a blaze which ripped through a Southampton boatyard, destroying eight leisure craft.

Police have confirmed that the blaze at the boatyard in Vespasian Road, Bitterne Manor, was started deliberately.

It was also revealed that the boatshed had not been fitted with smoke detectors.

More than 60 firefighters from across the county were at the scene following a 999 call at 2.53am yesterday.

It is thought that residents living in a block of flats nearby raised the alarm.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation but it is understood that his condition is not serious.

As the flames closed in on nearby apartments in Vespasian Quay, a number of residents were evacuated to nearby Bitterne Manor Primary School during the early stages of the fire, but were allowed back to their homes shortly afterwards.

Roads surrounding the yard were cordoned off.

Fire crews' efforts were hampered by high winds and the various hazardous materials on the site.

Officials from the Environment Agency as well as the emergency planning officer from Southampton City Council were also notified.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "A joint investigation by Hampshire police, Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Hampshire Arson Task Force is still under way, however we are treating the fire as arson."

Meanwhile a tiny fieldmouse is lucky to be alive after being plucked from the burning wreckage of a Swanmore farm's barn.

The mouse had called the barn home - until the 60,000 litres of cooking oil stored inside caught fire.

Residents near the farm were woken by the sound of explosions as the oil barrels exploded shortly before 5am yesterday.

The blaze destroyed the 20m by 30m barn, which collapsed as crews were fighting the fire.

However firefighter Colin Reeves, from Hightown fire station, emerged from the wreckage of the barn cradling the oil-soaked fieldmouse.

It is thought that the oil was being used to make eco-friendly diesel fuel.

More than 50 firefighters were called in to deal with the incident, amid fears that the fire could spread to neighbouring buildings.

Police were also called to the scene, off Droxford Road, as were Environment Agency officers, who were alerted after oil from the barrels, mixed with water used to put out the flames, was diverted into neighbouring fields.

The operation to contain the oil and cool the site continued throughout the day.