THREE males were arrested on suspicion of torching a £15,000 powerboat mould on the Romsey Industrial Estate.

Last Friday afternoon's arson attack also damaged the exterior of Hunton Powerboats premises. Police say the three male suspects were released without charge.

Hunton Powerboats general manager, Steve Colley, said the attack could have been even more serious had the blaze taken a firm hold of the company building.

"The fibreglass mould was completely destroyed. This is fairly indicative of what happens on the industrial estates at weekends.

"We are always finding beer cans and sweet wrappers on the ground. It's is very rarely we see those responsible but they are in their early to mid-teens. We have reported youths hanging around on the estate during the working day but there is no response from the police. This is a private and working estate and the youths have no right to be here," said Mr Colley.

He confirmed that the loss of the boat mould would disrupt production .

Romsey-based police sergeant Barbara Hardcastle said: "Three males were arrested and later released. Enquiries are ongoing but if anyone has any information that would help us, we would be grateful if they would let us know. If they prefer, they can contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800555111."

Romsey firefighters were called to the blaze at about 5.30pm. Crews had to wear breathing apparatus because of the thick black smoke that billowed from the burning mould.

Residents living on the nearby Fishlake Meadows housing estate were told to keep their windows closed because of carbon emissions given off by the blaze

There was little firefighters could do to save the fibreglass structure. Metal cladding on the building buckled in the intense heat and scorch marks were clearly visible the following morning.

A Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said Hunton's premises were heavily smoke logged inside and the cause of the fire was doubtful.

Firefighters had to move the boat mould away from the building to prevent further ignition after being called out for a second time later in the evening.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, described what happened. " Later that night two fire crews returned as the smouldering boat mould caused fears that it might re-ignite and cause further damage to the main building."

The worried added that drunken male and female yobs regularly terrorised the area.