MULTIPLE cars have been torched in a double arson attack leaving smouldering wrecks in the streets of Southampton.

In Gerard Crescent, a silver Ford was set alight where the fire spread and engulfed two other vehicles parked nearby, a silver Peugeot 206 and a black BMW.

Less than a mile away and one hour later at 2.30am, a silver Lexus went up in flames on Napier Road, the blaze then spread setting fire to a Land Rover Freelander behind it.

In total, two cars have been completely burnt out and another four severely damaged.

According to the police no one was inside any of the vehicles at the time, however, officers investigating the fires are treating the incidents as arson and have been in the area carrying out enquiries with local residents.

Gerard Crescent resident, Tracey Ordish said: “Me and my husband were going to sleep and heard a loud bang. It sounded like a gun going off. We went outside It was really scary. The cars were smoking, their tyres popping and the window frames were melting. It’s not something you see every day. It’s sad that it’s happened. You feel bad for the owners.”

One Napier Road resident who wishes to remain unnamed said: “I got woken up by popping noises. My room was glowing orange. I looked out the window and saw a car was on fire. I woke up my partner and then my son woke up. He was really upset and would not go back to sleep. The flames were really high. It was so close to my bedroom window it could have exploded.

“It took the fire brigade a while to put it out. However, there have been other fires in the area.

“Mopeds, bikes and mattresses have all been burnt in the park. My son is petrified to go out.

Hampshire police are now appealing for witnesses who may have seen the cars set on fire.

Inspector Sharman Wicks from the Southampton East Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“Officers will be in the area carrying out house to house to enquiries.

“Please get in contact with us if you saw or heard anything or anyone suspicious.

“We understand the impact these fires have on car owners and neighbours, financial and emotional.

“Luckily no one was hurt, however, these fires can quickly turn into incidents that endanger life, that’s why it’s really important we find the person or people responsible.

Anyone with any information is urged to Call 101 and quote 44190239083 for Napier Road and 44190239075 for Gerard Crescent.