AN investigation was under way this morning after a blaze ripped through an historic Southampton warehouse.

Fire destroyed part of the Norman Offer building, where Hampshire Constabulary is planning to build its new Southampton headquarters by 2010.

More than 25 firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out at 1.45am. Specialist equipment and 16 breathing apparatus had to be used to gain entry to the warehouse that was the former home of a car auctioneers.

Crews from St Mary's, Hightown and Redbridge stations were involved in the incident, which took 90 minutes to get under control.

Initially there had been concerns that the building, which was being used for storage purposes but was virtually derelict, had people inside.

However searches of the site, on the corner of Southern Road and Westquay Road, found that although there were signs of squatters, nobody was trapped.

Officers from Southampton City Council were today at the scene and were expected to be able to gain access inside later today.

It is understood that the building contains unknown amounts of asbestos but council chiefs said that there was no risk to the public as it has not been demolished.

Firefighters were this morning continuing to damp down and make the warehouse safe.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is believed that it broke out in the offices area which had high quantities of tables, papers and rags inside.