RESIDENTS were forced to flee from "15ft high" flames when a wood store containing 10 tonnes of timber caught alight in a possible arson attack.

A family was evacuated from their home after the fire broke out in Bitterne yesterday morning.

Firecrews and police rushed to the scene on Athelstan Road, after a wheelie bin caught alight. Police are currently treating the fire as suspicious.

It caused decking of an underground wood store containing 10 tonnes of timber to catch ablaze in the passage between two homes.

Battling the fire for two hours, two crews from St Mary's station were confronted with "15 ft high" flames when they arrived at the scene at 5.30am.

One crew tackled the blaze at its source while the other cut through the decking with axes to get to it from above.

Although the wood store and its contents were destroyed, superficial damage was done to the two properties, scorching brickwork and render.

No one was injured and affected residents were allowed to return to their homes soon after the fire was extinguished at just after 7am.

One of the residents, who did not want to be named, said: "I was woken up at 5am.

"Someone woke me up then we went to the side of the house, the bin was on fire.

"Then it all went up really quick and became a massive fire."

He got his family out of the house and called the fire brigade, who arrived soon after.

Residents in the adjoining house were away when the fire happened.

A spokesperson for the fire brigade said the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Police, who arrived at the scene at 6.30am, said that they are currently investigating the incident and are currently treating the fire as suspicious.

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