FIREFIGHTERS have launched an investigation after a blaze badly damaged a derelict Victorian house in Southampton yesterday.

Firefighters from St Mary's, Hightown and Redbridge fire stations plus a special equipment unit tackled the blaze, which broke out at about 12.50pm in Portsmouth Road, Woolston.

Traffic was held up along the road for more than an hour as firefighters tackled the blaze, which is believed to have started at the front door of the three-storey building.

Nobody was injured in the incident.