Homes evacuated after suspected arson attack

Police in Southampton are investigating a suspected arson attack on a shop selling Halal food. The fire which was started in the early hours of Thursday morning left the owner devastated after his livelihood was destroyed in the blaze.

The shop's owner, 76-year-old Zulfikar Ali said "I have a very bad feeling now. Most of my life I have worked to make this shop,"

One man who was staying at the flat above the shop leapt 20 feet out of a window to escape the fire, Esse Sharif Jama, 39, said: "I got up then I open the door and there was an explosion and fire. I jumped out a back window."

A witness spoke about the loud explosion heard as the fire took hold; local resident Tracy Brooks said she heard a giant explosion and banged on the doors of her neighbours to raise the alarm.

"The room literally shook and I saw a big orange flash out of the window so I ran up to the window, moved my curtains and saw the front of the shop on the path with flames coming out of the shop," she added.

A total of 18 people were evacuated from a flat above the shop and from the two adjoining properties. A young baby was treated after breathing in smoke.

Police officers have been conducting house to house enquiries in the area and displaying witness appeal posters asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact them.

Officers will also be viewing CCTV footage from cameras in the area to see if they are able to provide them with any information.

Fire crews locally said the working smoke alarm probably saved the lives of everyone involved. Watch Manager Shaun Cheeseman of St. Mary’s Community Fire Station said:

“By giving an early warning of fire, the working smoke alarm has given precious minutes for these residents to escape, and has no doubt saved their lives. This was a challenging fire that was well-alight on our arrival and our specialist fire investigation team are now working closely with the Police to establish the cause.”