RESIDENTS in a quiet Hampshire village have spoken of their shock after four vehicles, worth around £100,000, were set ablaze in a suspected double arson attack.

Botley Road in Burridge has become the centre of a major arson investigation following the incident on Saturday night.

Residents reported hearing explosions and rushed outside to find two Range Rovers, a Volkswagen vehicle and an outbuilding on fire between 7pm and 8pm.

At the same time, firefighters were also dealing with a burning Range Rover at another address on the same road.

Two of the vehicles, which are worth around £30,000 each, are high-end Range Rovers.

One resident told the Echo how the road was blocked off as firefighters from Hightown tackled the flames.

She said: “I heard some explosions between 8 and half past 8, it was quite frightening, a fire engine had gone down and a police car arrived afterwards.

“The most worrying fact is they seem to have targeted Range Rovers.”

A spokesman from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The three-car fire was dealt with by 10.20pm. The vehicles were destroyed. There is now a joint investigation between us and the police.”

Resident Hugh Murray said: “It looks horrendous, we live down the road.

“Nothing like this has happened before. It is quite quiet here. I think everybody will be on extra alert, most of the houses here have CCTV and various security measures.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said both of the victims of the arson are builders. However, this could not be confirmed by Hampshire police.

She said: “It’s not nice; I hope they find out who did it it. I think I am going to park my car away from the house now.”

Another resident said he heard “small explosions” on Saturday evening.

He said: “We heard some little explosions and when we came out, we saw a big fire.

“It is a shock; we thought at the beginning the fire was coming from the home next door and we were worried.”

Police have issued an appeal for information and say that someone was seen riding a motorcycle in the area at the time of the incidents.

Detective Constable Carla Moore said: “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding these two incidents and are appealing for anyone with information to come and speak to us.

“We have information to

suggest someone riding a

high-powered motorcycle was in the area at the time of the incidents.”

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44170112057.