Southampton: Eight vehicles set alight in Empress Road 'arson attack'

Business people in Bevois Valley have been left devasted after cars and vans went up in flames in four separate incidents.

Ian Faulkner, the owner of South Hants Garage Services, says two customer Volvos and a collector's car were "burnt to a crisp".

Three vehicles, including a Mercedes SLX convertible and an Iveco van, belonging to bicycle repair shop, DC Cycles, were also damaged in Empress Road.

Multiple cars set alight on Empress Rd, Southampton on Saturday, March 4 (Image: Newsquest)

A van owned by recycling firm, ABC Cash 4 Clothes, was also targeted suffering minor damage in the early hours of Saturday.

Ian said: "I have run this business for 34 years, and nothing like this has ever happened before.

"I think the incident happened at around 2am, and I was in bed then.

"We didn't know anything until we turned up at the garage the next morning.

"I don't think it's a targeted attack because it's at different locations where the cars have been damaged.

"It is not a good situation for us and the customers as well."

His partner Sarah Kemp, who also helps out at the garage, added: "I am actually so furious.

"One of our customers spent thousands on his car. He's never going to get that back.

"And the same with the others. They all love their cars. They're here because they're getting worked on.

"They're not going to get back the value of what it means to them. And Ian's got to pay out the insurance now."

Ian says the fire has caused significant damage, with estimated losses of more than £10,000.

Cars found damaged on Empress Rd, Southampton (Image: Newsquest)

The owners of ABC Cash for Clothes have also been left in shock.

A van used to collect and store deliveries was scorched by fire.

Liana Macukane, who has worked for the family firm for more than two years, said: "My parents are really shocked.

"Somebody tried to put fire to our van's wheel.

"It's not badly damaged, but it could have been worse."

ABC Cash 4 Clothes van was found damaged (Image: Newsquest)

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that eight vehicles were set alight deliberately. 

A spokesperson for the service said: "We were called at 1.40am on Saturday morning to a Ford Transit van on fire, which had spread to three other vehicles on Empress Road.

"One crew extinguished the blaze using hose reels before informing police as the fire is believed to have been set deliberately.

"We were then called to a separate vehicle fire on Imperial Road at 3.37am. The vehicle was destroyed in the blaze and was stopped using hose reels. 

"Then at 4am we were called to a further incident on Imperial Road, where three vehicles were set alight."