Burnt out van still at Riverside Park a month after fire

A resident is calling for the torched vehicle, believed to have been set alight deliberately, to be removed as it's "disgusting" to see.

John Borg, who lives is Swaythling, told the Echo: “It’s a disgusting sight for such a beautiful place. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.

“On Tuesday morning there were three young children who were curious and going up to the van without supervision – I had to tell them to move away from it and to be more careful.”

He added: “There’s a play park and tennis court opposite and lots of children might be putting themselves at risk by approaching the van that could be a health hazard."

Firefighters were called to a van fire near Woodmill Lane on Thursday, November 9.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said: “St Mary’s firefighters were called shortly after 4am on Thursday morning, November 9, following a van fire near Woodmill Lane.

“The crew requested the attendance of the Land Rover vehicle from Eastleigh in order to help access the fire.

“Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters extinguished the fire using hose reel jets.”

They added: “Police were informed as it was believed the fire was set deliberately, causing significant damage. HIWFRS left the scene at around 5.30am.”

• Burnt out campervan abandoned in Southampton for weeks

The abandoned burnt out van in Riverside Park (Image: John Borg)

In a statement, a spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: "We are aware of the abandoned vehicle which was originally abandoned elsewhere in Riverside Park.

“Southampton City Council has moved the vehicle to its current location to ensure the vehicle can be safely collected by our contractor in due course.

“More information on our Abandoned Vehicles process, including how to report an abandoned vehicle, can be found here: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/report-issue/parking-offence/abandoned-vehicles/."