DETECTIVES hunting for an arsonist who torched a house containing African asylum seekers in Southampton are still quizzing the victims of the attack.

Police are also continuing with house-to-house inquiries into the incident, which took place early last Friday and has been condemned by civic and religious leaders across the city.

Ten men from countries such as Zimbabwe and The Democratic Republic of Congo had a lucky escape after an arsonist broke into the property in Carlton Road near Bedford Place as they slept.

The intruder removed a smoke alarm from the landing ceiling before setting fire to an adjacent room.

Detectives said it was only luck that one man sleeping just yards away woke-up, smelt smoke and raised the alarm.

Police said the blaze is being treated as racially motivated.

Det Insp Paul Barton, leading the inquiry, said: "At the moment we are still doing house-to-house inquiries, but we are getting a clearer picture as to what went on."

He added: "Obviously, because of the language problems we have, it is taking time talking to people and getting their accounts of what happened."

Meanwhile, the attack has been condemned by Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead, who spoke at an anti-racist rally in the city earlier in the year, said: "I think an arson attack on any dwelling is quite despicable.

"This attempt to try and kill people in Southampton, whoever they are, is quite appalling."