YOUTHS have been urged to come forward in the hunt for arsonists who targeted a property in Southampton.

Police want to trace any youngsters who have been congregating in an empty house at Petworth Gardens, Lordswood, in the past few weeks.

The appeal comes after a suspicious blaze which damaged one of seven terraced houses on Sunday evening.

Detectives said the property had been severely damaged when fire broke out in a downstairs room at about 6pm.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing but police believe a sofa was set alight by intruders.

Youngsters were seen running away from the scene about the time of the arson attack.

Now police want to hear from any teenagers who have been inside the property in order to eliminate them from the arson investigation.

Detectives said although the house was unoccupied at the time of the blaze, other neighbouring properties had people inside whose lives were put at risk.

Today DC Tony Birr of Shirley CID, leading the investigation, said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who has been in these properties recently.

"We have been told that numerous youths have been going in there in the past few weeks. We now need these individuals to come forward to be eliminated before they get a knock on the door."

Detectives believe several teenage boys and possibly one or two girls were present at the time of Sunday's blaze.

Anyone with information is urged to call Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.