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Community urged to help police catch arsonist in Southampton

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Published: 08/06/2009


Detectives in Southampton are appealing for witness after a family were targeted by an arsonist in the city.

Two children aged 3 and 5 and three adults were in the house in Northbrook Road yesterday, Sunday, June 7, shortly before 11pm when a neighbour noticed the smoke and called Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

The fire had been started deliberately in a box of paper left by the front door and it’s believed some sort of accelerant was also used and some items put through the letterbox.

Several members of the family had to be treated at the scene by an ambulance crew for smoke inhalation and one woman, aged 26, was also taken to hospital suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke.

Detective Inspector Roger Middle of Bitterne CID said: “If this fire had taken hold there may have been loss of life. The actions of the neighbour in alerting the fire brigade have certainly prevented a far more tragic outcome.

“We believe the family may have been targeted, as opposed to a random attack, and members of the local community may know who is behind this. I ask those who saw, or know, anything that can help us, to contact us as soon as possible. We need to arrest those responsible as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Bitterne CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Extra, high visibility police patrols are working in the area and people are also welcome to approach them with information.


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