FAMILIES had to be evacuated from a block of flats in Southampton after arsonists lit a fire in a corridor.

The fire was started on the seventh floor of Albion Towers, Golden Grove, St Mary's.

More than 30 firefighters were called to the blaze at 11.50pm after the alarm was raised by residents.

About 20 families from three floors were evacuated because of the amount of smoke caused by the fire, which was extinguished within about 20 minutes.

Police and fire investigators from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were due to resume their inquiries this morning into how the fire started.

Sub-Officer Nigel Mottashed, who was in charge of operations throughout the night, said: "We believe it was arson. There is little doubt the fire was deliberately started in a corridor on the seventh floor outside one of the flats. The fire itself was out fairly quickly but there was a lot of damage caused by the smoke.

"Families on the floors below and above were all evacuated, as well as those on the seventh floor."

Among the families evacuated were Sharlan Avery, 29, and her two children aged five and 20 months.

Ms Avery said: "It was frightening. I had to get the kids up and dressed. My eldest didn't believe me to start with and just sat on the sofa. It was hectic and worrying."

Mum-of-three Rackha Kaur also had to evacuate her family in the early hours.

She said: "We were woken up just after midnight and it was frightening having to get the children up quickly because they were so tired."

Dozens of evacuated residents were given refuge at the nearby church in James Street. Church staff opened up the building and served tea and coffee to anxious residents along with the emergency services.

Chris Morris, chairman of the Albion Towers Residents' Association, said: "It was good to see everyone pulling together.

"I think the wardens here were fantastic and also the residents who opened the church up for those who had to be evacuated.

"Innocent people could have been seriously injured or worse because of someone setting a fire in a corridor. Bedrooms back on to the corridor so it could have been so much worse."

Those who were evacuated and were not allowed to return to their homes because of smoke damage spent the night with relatives or were re-homed by the council.

This morning, residents who had been allowed home were still unable to use the affected corridor.

Officers were standing guard on the three floors evacuated to allow scenes of crime officers to examine the scene. Residents had to use fire escapes to get between floors.