A MOTHER-of-five from Southampton is living in fear due to repeated alleged arson attacks at the house next door.

Lauren Woodgate, 31, told the Daily Echo that she was “highly concerned” for the safety of her children after a derelict hoarder house located next door to her property has caught fire three times in the past three weeks.

The story comes after the most recent fire broke out at 1am yesterday on Marston Road in Thornhill.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire investigation team was looking into the cause of the incident.

The Daily Echo understands the incident is being treated as arson.

Lauren described the situation as “horrendous” and said: “Something needs to be done.”

The rubbish-filled property has been vacant since May 4 when the homeowner was found dead inside.

Since then, the property has come under three arson attacks on August 4, 18 and 22.

Lauren said: “Ever since the house has been empty it has been a complete health hazard.

“There are so many rats, the smell is awful and the recent fires have only made things ten times worse.

“The first fire was really scary.

“I woke up in the middle of the night and my house was filled with smoke, so much so that I thought it was my house on fire.

“It was only when I looked out the front window that I realised it was next door.”

When asked about the other blazes, Lauren said: “It’s indescribable how I’m feeling right now, I don’t feel safe sleeping in my own home.”

Although Lauren has contacted the council and environmental health, she says they are yet to do anything to sort the situation because it is a private property.

Lauren said: “It’s ridiculous, if I was in different circumstances I would move from here – I have had enough.”

Deanna Stewart, 22, who lives opposite the derelict property, said: “It’s not just the fire attacks, it’s the rats, and the smell is awful.

“It’s so bad that you can smell it down the street.

“Kids could go in there and hurt themselves, it’s so dangerous.”

On August 20, Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith contacted Lauren and reassured her that the council would board up the house by the end of the week and that he would monitor their progress closely.

Lauren, her partner and her children moved into their property on May 4, the same day their neighbour was found dead.

She said: “It’s so horrible as I haven’t had peace in my new home yet.”

Lauren told the Daily Echo that she now has an infestation of rats in her garden and kitchen.

She said: “I have put traps down but they are going to keep coming back until the house next door is cleared.

“My oldest daughter is scared to sleep as she can hear them scratching in the loft.

“Soon all the houses down this road will have them if something isn’t sorted soon.

“I don’t understand how the council can expect us to live like this, it is ridiculous and I have had enough of it now.”

Lauren told the Echo she doesn’t know what else she can do.

She said: “I just need something to be done about this.

“It needs to be boarded up and cleared.”

Deanna said she was also frustrated by the lack of action.

She said: “I cross the street when I go to the doctors as I don’t want to walk past that house, it’s a horrible health hazard and if I was in Lauren’s position I would want to move out too.”

Southampton City Council issued a statement which said: “Following a report from a resident on Saturday, August 11, a property on Marston Road has been under investigation by the council’s environmental health service, who have served a notice informing the estate that the premises will be boarded up.

“Southampton City Council are required to provide 48 hours’ notice prior to commencing this work.

“Arrangements have been made for this work to be undertaken on Thursday.”