POLICE are appealing for information as part of an investigation into two garage fires in Bitterne.

At 2.46am on Saturday officers received a report of a garage fire in Oaktree Road. A man in a hooded top was seen running from the garage.

At 3.03am the same morning, the force received a report of a fire at a garage in Sandringham Road.

Both garages were gutted by the fire. No-one was injured.

Officers are linking both fires and are treating them as arson.

Detective Constable David Jackson, at Southampton CID, said: “It was fortunate that both fires were discovered quickly for our colleagues at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to attend – there is always a risk of serious harm in any fire.

“Both fires have caused significant damage and expense.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in this area in the early hours of Saturday, January 14 and saw anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable David Jackson on 101, quoting 44170016456.