Arson investigation launched after car fire in Downscroft Gardens in Hedge End

Police have confirmed that the car fire in Downscroft Gardens, Hedge End is being treated as arson.

As previously reported, residents were left in shock when a Citroen C5 burst into flames in the early hours of Monday.

The vehicle was parked in Downscroft Gardens when the blaze started at around 2am.

The flames were extinguished by a crew from Hightown fire station in Southampton, who spent half an hour at the scene.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the car was severely damaged in the blaze and multiple calls were received by control and Hightown crews.

He also said the fire investigation team had not been investigating the cause of this incident, but the police were informed and attended the scene.

Now a spokesperson for Hampshire police confirmed that at this stage the incident is being treated as arson.

And added: “We received a call following a car fire in Downscroft Gardens, just after 2am on August 20.The car was a Citroen C5. The cause of the fire is unknown and investigations are ongoing.”