DETECTIVES were continuing to quiz a 55-year-old woman last night following a Southampton tower block arson attack that saw terrified residents flee and police officers injured.

An arson probe is today under way after the “suspicious” blaze broke out in a one bedroom flat in Hightown Towers in Thornhill.

Nearly 70 fire officers were deployed from across the county amid fears the fire could rip through the 14 storey block.

Hampshire Constabulary said they could neither confirm or deny whether an inflammable liquid had been used in the arson attack.

But yesterday black scorch marks were clearly visible around and above the letter box opening of number 94 - with heavy smoke damage on the door frame above.

Following a detailed police arson investigation, landlords Southampton City Council have sealed the door of the affected flat, which suffered ten per cent fire damage and extensive smoke damage.

Meanwhile the whole ninth floor landing has been left smelling of smoke and some neighbours said they could not rid their flats of the odour.

People living directly next to the scorched flat told the Daily Echo they heard a loud banging noise on the evening of the fire - just minutes before the alarm was raised at 7.48pm.

But residents were only alerted to the fire once police officers, who were first on the scene, began banging on their doors.

Daily Echo:

With black smoke billowing from the flat into the hallway, residents on the affected floor were led to safety.

Tony Withey, 70, said: “I was watching the football when it all started to kick off. “When I opened the door we could not see anything. It frightened my misses to death.

“I am annoyed because it happened so close to us.”

Another neighbour, who fled her flat in her slippers and nightey, said the flat belonged to a man who had moved in weeks before Christmas.

Hampshire police have described the fire as “an isolated” incident.

The woman arrested shortly after the fire remained in custody last night as detectives continue their investigation.

A spokeswoman said: “There are no other arrests.

“We are still appealing for witnesses.

“The officers suffered smoke inhalation while trying to assist in evacuating people from the flats.

“None of the officers suffered serious injury and the two officers that had been taken to hospital to be checked over have since been released.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were also out advising residents on the affected floor fire safety and evacuation procedures following the incident.

As previously reported, more than 70 fire-fighters from across Hampshire were deployed to battle the fire on Monday evening.

Hampshire police are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious before 7.45pm, to call Shirley CID on 101.