Police have launched a hunt for arsonists after a blaze caused £100,000 worth of damage on a Southampton building site.

The fire happened at 12.30pm yesterday when a housing development under construction next to Mason Moor Primary School in Cumbrian Way, Millbrook caught fire.

More than 30 firefighters were called to the scene. Three floors of ten, half-built semi-detached properties were well alight.

It took more than an hour to put the fire out, but no-one was injured.

Police believe the fire was arson and have issued an appeal for witnesses.

Mum-of-three Kellie Gibson, of Cumbrian Way, Millbrook, said the fire seemed to "spread everywhere in a matter of minutes".

She said: "My son rushed in to say there was a fire outside the school. I went outside and was hit by this huge heat. There was smoke all over the place and I could hardly see.

"More and more people started to gather to see what was going on. It was chaos. We could see an ambulance but did not know if anyone was hurt.

"You get teenagers hanging around by the school all the time, and this is something that has been waiting to happen. I just hope they catch those responsible. I'm surprised no-one's been badly hurt."

Another local, Christine Lewis, said: "I'm glad my children weren't anywhere near the school when the fire broke out.

"It could have been a major disaster. Whoever's responsible should feel ashamed of themselves.

"Anyone living around here will tell you they have seen youths setting fire to park bins and other things.

Lighting a fire on a building site must be the next big buzz. It's stupid."

Lisa Kerswell, of Cumbrian Way, said: "I was out shopping at Asda in Totton and I could see a massive cloud of smoke coming from Millbrook.

"The building site is in a real mess. It's going to cost a lot of money to fix those homes."

Meanwhile, at around 1.30pm firefighters were called to a blaze on the M271 near Gover Road in Redbridge where a field of cut hay was on fire.

It took an hour to put out the blaze, which destroyed a ten-acre area of hay plus 200 metres of wooden fencing on the motorway embankment.

Firefighters from Eastleigh, Hythe and Lyndhurst fought the blaze.

A third blaze happened at about 1.40pm when a petrol tanker caught fire on the M27 at junction 3 eastbound.

The cabin of the tanker, which was fully loaded with petrol and diesel, was severely damaged by fire.

Sub Officer Dave Turner, from Redbridge fire station, said: "They were tough conditions to fight a fire in."