TWO young boys arrested as part of a probe into a huge fire in Southampton city centre will have no further action taken against them, police say.

The boys, aged 12 and 13, were arrested on suspicion of arson after the fire in a four-storey building in St Mary Street in March.

More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which damaged several shops and homes and left dozens of neighbouring residents unable to get into their homes.

Police arrested three boys, two of whom were 13 and the other 12, following the incident.

Officers now say that the 12-year-old and one of the teenagers will have no further action taken against them.

The other 13-year-old remains under investigation, according to police, while a 15-year-old boy was interviewed under caution in relation to the incident.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said enquiries are still ongoing.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, crews from across the area rushed to the scene of the fire, which was reported around 2pm on March 26.

The fire broke out at a vacant commercial property under construction in St Mary Street.

Due to the severity of the fire nearby homes and businesses were evacuated as a precaution as firefighters worked to get the fire under control.

There were no reports of injuries as a result of the fire.

However it left residents from 58 neighbouring homes unable to get back into their homes and some were given temporary accommodation.