ONE of Southampton's most historic buildings was just "half-an-hour" away from being burnt to the ground early this morning.

Fire crews were called to the 15th century Tudor Merchants' Hall, Westgate Street, just after 4am after a passer-by spotted smoke billowing from the roof.

They tackled the blaze, believed to have been caused by a recently installed spotlight near the roof, for about 90 minutes.

Sub-officer Steve Evans, based at St Mary's fire station, said: "We were very conscious of the heritage of an old building like that and were like 'We can't let this burn down'. It was all just very lucky that a passer-by was out so early and spotted it. Another half-an-hour and it could well have been destroyed.

"When we arrived there was smoke coming from the roof and we could see some flames."

He said he believed that a halogen spotlight installed this week had caused an electrical fault which led to the fire.

A small part of the hall's roof was destroyed in the blaze.

The building was originally built in 1428 in nearby St Michael's Square and was used as a cloth hall and fishmarket.

It was bought by Alderman Edward Exton for 20 marks - £13.33 - in 1634 who demolished and re-erected it on its present site.

The hall is now commonly used as a banqueting hall for wedding receptions.