Police hunt fire starter after Coxford blaze

Detectives are investigating the blaze that started in a shed that was built on to the block of flats in Coxford.

A dozen children, some as young as two, had to be led to safety by the emergency services who were called to deal with the fire at 2.45am yesterday.

Around 20 adults were also evacuated from the four storey building at Birch Close after the fire ripped through the storage shed, on top of which flats were built.

Residents were led through smoke-filled corridors to safety while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze.

No one was injured and residents were allowed to return to their homes yesterday morning.

Last night detectives working with Hampshire Fire and rescue and the Arson Taskforce, confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Det Cons Tony Rickman said: "Initial investigations mean that we are currently treating the fire as suspicious.

"There were a lot of children who had to be evacuated from the building and a flat was right on top of the shed where the fire started, it could have been a very serious fire.

"Luckily all the smoke alarms in the building were working so they were able to raise the alarm quickly."

Tests were being carried out to establish whether any accelerant was used.

Police are calling on anyone who was in the area between 2am and 2.45am to contact them at Shirley CID.

Watch manager Rob Burns who attended the fire said the blaze had gutted the shed and could have spread to the adjoining flats.

He also paid tribute to the work of police officers who assisted with the evacuation.

Watch manager Burns added: "The police constables who assisted us did a fantastic job of helping us get everyone out as at that point we had not got the fire under control."

Anyone with any information about the fire can contact Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.