POLICE are today hunting for an arsonist who yesterday tried to set fire to nine stories of a Southampton tower block.

Had the fire taken hold, the consequences could have been potentially fatal with dozens of people, including young families, trapped in the 140ft tower block.

The arsonist poured white spirit outside flats between floors 12 and two of the block in Southampton before setting it alight.

Scores of people, who were settling down to prepare their evening meals, were evacuated from the 13-storey building. Its corridors were engulfed in choking smoke as the fire took hold.

Mystery surrounds the reason for the attack at Hampton Towers in Weston, and detectives are appealing for witnesses.

They say the incident could easily have had "fatal" consequences.

The drama began at around 3.55pm when residents smelled smoke coming from landings where the firebug had poured the white spirit and set it alight.

Toni Talbot, 23, who lives on the 11th floor with her four young children said: "There was a terrible smell and loads of noise outside.

"I looked out and could not see out of the door. The corridor was full of smoke. It was black, you could not see anything."

Another resident, Leanne Hamerton, who lives on the second floor of the building said she was returning to her flat with her two-year-old daughter, Brooke, when she found out the building was on fire.

The 25-year-old said: "We should not have been able to use the lifts. It is ridiculous. We were allowed to come and go as we pleased."

Fire crews from St Mary's and Hightown fire stations were called to the incident and evacuated residents from the building.

It is thought the arsonist set fire to mats outside the flats before fleeing the scene.

Sub officer Gerry Cox, based at St Mary's fire station, said: "Someone went from near the top of the block, igniting fires on five floors.

"What they appear to have done was pour white spirit on front doormats outside the flats, which created heavy smoke logging.

"Any fires were out on arrival, there was only slight smouldering."

He added the situation would have been far worse had there been clutter and rubbish in the corridor and given the mat fires the chance to spread.

Yesterday, teams of scenes of crime officers were conducting a fingertip search of the areas where the arsonist struck.

Detective Sergeant Bob Bowness of Southampton police said: "This was a potentially fatal act. It is a very irresponsible thing to do and we are appealing for anybody in this block who may have seen anything to come forward."

Anyone who has any information should contact DS Bowness on 0845 045 45 45.