POLICE have launched an investigation into a fire that broke out on the same floor of a Southampton tower block where a blaze killed two firefighters two years ago.

Residents on the ninth floor of Shirley Towers had to flee their homes on Saturday night after smoke engulfed the communal corridor.

The incident came just days after the end of the inquest into the deaths of Alan Bannon , 38, from Bitterne , Southampton, and Jim Shears, 35, from Poole.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is examining whether a bag of rubbish was deliberately set alight outside the home of mum Claire Storey and her four-year-old son Callum.

A police spokesman said last night that officers were carrying out door to door inquiries.