A CAR exploded while parked in a road in Harestock following a suspected arson attack.
Three cars were destroyed while the back of another vehicle melted.
The blaze, in Litchfield Road, began at around 10.30pm on Monday, May 29 after a diesel Dacia Sandero exploded.
Firefighters from Winchester and Eastleigh were called to the incident, with the fire spreading to the nearby fence and garden of one of the army houses.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Wearing breathing apparatus sets, the firefighters extinguished the fire using two hose reels.
“Police were informed as it is believed the fire was started deliberately. Crews returned to station shortly after 11:30pm.”
Ged Alexander’s Ford Focus was one of the cars that have been written off by the fire. Ged, 45, said: “My son was looking out the upstairs window and he saw the flames outside.
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“The red car was on fire so I ran downstairs to see if I could jump in my car but it was too late. Other neighbours started coming out to see what was happening. By the time I called 999 they said they’d already received three calls.
“I evacuated my family to the front to safety and around 25 minutes later the fire service arrived. No one could tell the cause of the fire as it was dark but now we think it was arson. There was a mattress on the pavement for ages before and there are springs and bits of foam around the car now.”
The inside of Malcolm Welch’s seven-year-old red Dacia Sandero has been completely burnt and the car is unrecognisable.
Mr Welch, 80, said: “I’m feeling alright, my car’s gone. It was definitely arson, there was a spongy mattress that was obviously moved beneath my car.
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“The fire was raging with flames around 30 feet high. We couldn’t move the other cars as it was too fierce. Our door frame warmed up, that’s how hot it was. Fortunately, my car is diesel otherwise it would have set fire to all the cars.
“There’s never been much crime here, it’s a nice area to live. I’d feel safe leaving my car door unlocked., we just don’t get this sort of thing.
“I’ve never claimed on my insurance before, this will be the first time. I’ve been on the phone this morning, it’s such a hassle.”
Owner of the melted Hyundai Santa Fe, Ben Dovs, said: "We're all glad that no one was hurt. Need to appeal to anyone with video doorbells or static dashcams that may have caught anything leading up to the fire. "
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We are investigating a suspected arson following a report from the fire service at 10.40pm yesterday (May 29) that four vehicles were on fire on Litchfield Road. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 44230213794."
Footage of the incident taken by John Diedrick.
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