A MAN has said living in a Southampton area is "like living in the Wild West" after the van he relies on for work was torched outside his home.
On the same night three other vehicles were set on fire on another street in Thornhill, about a five-minute walk away.
The incident happened on Byron Road at around 3.30am yesterday.
Kevin Skully, 59, said: "I was in bed and I heard a knock at the door. My wife jumped up, looked out of the window and said 'oh my god the van's on fire'.
"My neighbour was at the door, telling me about the fire.
"The fire brigade were there within two minutes, they were brilliant."
Kevin, a self-employed bricklayer, said the Citroen Berlingo van he relies on to get to work and pick up materials is "absolutely ruined."
"This affects my livelihood, but at least no-one was hurt," he said.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews responded at 3.48 yesterday to the fire on Byron Road.
The spokesperson said: "There was a fire involving the engine compartment of a van."
The van was 100% destroyed by fire and the blaze was extinguished by 4.12am.
When asked whether the incident was thought to be connected to the Woodland Close fires (which are being investigated as arson), a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We will review all the evidence available and link it to other incidents where there is the evidence to do so."
Police enquiries are ongoing.
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