POLICE have launched an appeal after an arson attack in Southampton.

Officers say an abandoned Peugeot Expert van was set alight in the underground car park at Cabot House, The Compass, in the Chapel area of the city.

A 19-year-old man, who discovered the fire and alerted residents, suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment.

Detective Constable Gary Allsopp, said: “We’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area of The Compass around the time of the incident.

"Did you see anyone in, or running away from, the area? Do you have any information about who may be responsible?

“I would urge anyone with information to call us on 101 quoting 44180425547.”

 

As previously reported by the Echo, firefighters from across the city rushed to the property, after more than 15 reports from residents.

Crews from Hightown, St Mary's, Redbridge and Eastleigh all attended the fire.

Residents in the building were evacuated for around 45 minutes.

Hayley Smith, 31, has lived in the building for the past nine years.

She said: " No alarms in the building went off, if this had happened at 2am when we were asleep we probably wouldn't have known that there was a fire.

"If that had been the case then who knows what could have happened, we only knew it was happening because people were shouting outside, it could have been like Grenfell Tower.

A spokesperson from Aster Group, who run the building, said: “We are aware of the fire at Cabot House in Southampton and we are working with the emergency services as they carry out their investigations.

 

“Our local neighbourhood team has been onsite today providing reassurance and advice to our residents and we will continue to do all we can to help keep our customers informed and any disruption to a minimum.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to regularly test smoke alarms and to be aware of any fire safety advice and fire escape routes in their homes."

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44180425547.