A HAMPSHIRE asylum seeker was set on fire in a mystery gangland-style attack that left him with horrific burns.

Police have launched an attempted murder inquiry after the 27-year-old Iranian was ambushed in a New Forest lane and doused with petrol.

He was driving along Deerleap Lane, Colbury, when two men blocked the narrow country road with their motorcycles. The victim was then set alight in an attack that has baffled detectives.

Bryan Pass, who runs Longdown Activity Farm, said: "I saw a car on fire in the lane on Wednesday night and went to investigate.

"The driver's shirt was on fire and he was running up the road in an attempt to put the flames out. At the same time, I saw a figure running into a nearby churchyard.

"The victim managed to extinguish the flames by rolling in a puddle, which may have saved his life. I used a wet towel to cool his injuries. He was in deep shock and didn't say anything, but I noticed that his hands were badly burned."

Mr Pass said scenes of crime officers spent most of yesterday scouring Deerleap Lane and the surrounding countryside for clues.

He added: "Police are treating it as attempted murder because it involved a car that was deliberately set on fire with the occupant inside."

The Rev Tom Johns from nearby Colbury Church, said: "Police searched the cemetery and the surrounding area for a petrol can.

"We're all stunned. Nothing like this has ever happened in the area before and probably never will again. Hopefully it was a one-off."

Detective Sergeant David Brown based at Hythe said the victim, who described himself as an asylum seeker, lived in Southamp-ton with other family members.

He added: "He was driving along Deerleap Lane when he was attacked by two men he says were total strangers.

"There is nothing to indicate any motive at this time."

Det Sgt Brown said there was no evidence to suggest that the incident was racially motivated, a drugs-related crime or the result of a private vendetta.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, police and firefighters were called to the area shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday.

The victim is said to have rung the emergency services on his mobile and cried "Help me!" as paramedics dashed to the scene.

Police sealed off the lane and launched a major investigation amid reports that a man was seen running away.

Hampshire Constabulary's spotter plane was also launched in the hunt for the attackers.

The injured driver, who had suffered burns to his hands and stomach, was taken to Southampton General Hospital but was discharged after treatment.

A 31-year-old Southampton man was detained in the Ashurst area on Wednesday night and interviewed yesterday before being released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

The victim and the man arrested are understood to have given conflicting accounts of what happened.

Sally Arnold, chairman of Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council, said: "I'm totally shocked.

"You don't expect anything like that to happen in this area. People describing the incident sound as if they're talking about a different village."

Deerleap Lane was cordoned off for much of yesterday as detectives attempted to establish what happened.

Longdown Activity Farm was closed until 3.15pm, but visitors were able to reach the nearby New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildife Park from nearby Staplewood Lane.

Police investigating the incident are anxious to hear about anyone who returned home on Wednesday smelling of petrol or some other form of accelerant.

Information to Hythe CID on 0845 045 4545.