A SERIAL arsonist could be on the loose in a Hampshire community, police have revealed.

The warning comes as two fires were started in Fawley and Blackfield yesterday – just weeks after three deliberate blazes took place in the same area within a month.

Two fires were discovered in the space of just 15 minutes in the two villages yesterday morning, prompting an investigation involving detectives and Hampshire's Arson Task Force.

The first was found at stables in a field in Chapel Lane, Fawley at around 7.30am this morning.

A 50-year-old woman arrived to find a horse trailer containing hay, feed and rugs, completely burnt out.

Fire crews were called and used one hose reel to dampen down the scene with the blaze largely out on arrival.

Fifteen minutes later, a 57- year-old woman arrived at Blackfield Health Centre in Hampton Lane, Blackfield, to find a consulting room had been set alight.

Teams from Hardley and Beaulieu attended the scene and used fans to remove the remaining smoke from the room.

The facility was open for business yesterday – but nobody was available for further comment about the incident last night.

The two attacks come just weeks after a spate of similar incidents in the area.

As reported, a vulnerable pensioner in his 80s narrowly avoided disaster when a blaze tore through his garden shed and summer house in Blackfield in the early hours of December 27.

It followed a fire at Harry’s Fish and Kebab Shop in Hampton Lane in the early hours of Saturday, December 7.

A shed containing an old fryer, empty cooking oil containers and paint pots was set alight behind the takeaway, which also caused heat damage to the property and the flat above.

A Volvo Amazon Estate was set on fire in Saxon Close the same evening.

Detectives are currently trying to find out whether there are any links between the most recent fires and arson attacks on sheds and vehicles since December 1 in the Fawley, Holbury and Blackfield areas.

A police spokesman said: “Fortunately, no people have been injured in these incidents, but the owners of the properties have been left upset. We would welcome any information from the public.”

Police at Lyndhurst want to hear from anyone who noticed suspicious people or vehicles in the areas of the fires.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.