TWO men have been arrested in connection with a spectacular blaze which destroyed four vans and threatened to engulf a Chan-dler's Ford parcel delivery depot last night.

The drama happened at about 8.15pm at the DHL depot in Electron Way, when a fire broke out among a fleet of vans and articulated lorries.

Flames could be seen for miles around and a live gas main leading into the parcel depot had to be isolated to prevent what could have been a major explosion.

It is understood that the fire broke out in one of the vehicles - one of about a dozen transit and articulated lorries parked on the forecourt.

The blaze quickly spread and four vans were burned out, with two others damaged by either heat or fire.

Transco were called in to isolate the gas main leading into the building.

No one was in the building at the time and it took about 20 firefighters about 40 minutes to get the fire under control.

They were on the scene until about midnight.

Sub Officer James Drever, based at Eastleigh, said: "Our main concern was to stop the fire from spreading to the main building."

Firefighters located the keys of about seven vehicles and moved them from the path of the fire.

Three fire appliances from Eastleigh attended, along with one from Romsey, plus a water carrier and an incident control unit.

Today Eastleigh Police said they had arrested a 20-year-old Chandler's Ford man and a 25-year-old man from Southampton.

Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the area at the time to contact them, as they may hold vital information.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a white Ford Escort driving at speed in the area, shortly after the fire was started at 8.15pm.

Anyone with information should call Eastleigh police on 0845 045 4545 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.