A SOUTHAMPTON gospel hall was damaged by fire after arsonists torched a car parked outside.

Part of the Methodist Gospel Hall in Millbrook Road East was boarded up this morning after the blaze started at 11.30pm yesterday.

Police believe a Ford Escort parked in the driveway next to the Gospel Hall was deliberately set alight.

Car owner Anne Phillips, 76, told the Daily Echo of the moment she realised the car was ablaze.

"I saw flashing lights going and thought it was something out on the road. But then I looked down and I saw our car was on fire.

"It was really frightening, I can tell you. We didn't know what was going on but the police said that it was most likely deliberate - but who would do that?"

As the car was parked outside their front door the couple had to escape through the rear of their home, which backs on to the gospel hall.

Mrs Phillips said: "We had to wait out the back and we weren't allowed up the drive until it was all out. My husband was left very shaken by it all."

Neighbours across the driveway also had to evacuate their home while firefighters battled to contain the blaze.

Minor damage was caused to the window and frame of the gospel hall and smoke damage was caused inside.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "It could have been very much worse but thankfully the alarm was raised fairly quickly and we were able to stop the fire spreading."

A police spokesman confirmed the fire was being treated as arson. Police are now appealing for witnesses.