SOUTHAMPTON civic and religious leaders have united to condemn an arson attack on African asylum seekers in the city.

Police said the blaze which took place in Carlton Road early on Friday morning could have had "fatal con-sequences" if the alarm

had not been raised so promptly.

Ten people were led to safety after one resident in the building woke in the middle of the night and smelled smoke.

One resident was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation but nobody else was hurt in the attack - believed to be the first of its kind in Southampton.

Today the leader of the City Council, Councillor Adrian Vinson, and the Rector of Southampton's City Centre Parish, The Rev Ian Johnson, condemned the attack.

The Rev Johnson said: "We have blessedly been free of any overtly racist incidents like this. If this is a racist attack, then the authorities must do everything they possibly can to find the perpetrators before it happens again.

"It is a great pity that this has happened in Southamp-ton. It makes me very angry that a few stupid, ignorant people behave like this. It is up to the whole community to rally round and counteract it."

Cllr Vinson said: "I am appalled that anyone in our city could be responsible for such a cowardly attack on vulnerable people.

"All political groups on Southampton City Council are totally committed to maintaining harmony be-tween the communities which make up and give vitality to our city.

"I urge anyone who thinks they might have relevant information to contact the police at once."