A POLICE investigation has been launched after three vans went up in flames in Hampshire on Tuesday night.

Fire fighters rushed to the scene at Halford's car park on Southampton Road in Park Gate, after receiving a "high volume of calls" that three vehicles were on fire at around 8.26pm.

Crews from Fareham, Hightown, Botley, Portchester and St Mary's Fire Stations arrived at the scene to find the fire had spread from one of the vans to a nearby building, and the fire was said to be seen from "quite a distance a way".

It took the crew almost three hours to fully extinguish the fires, to which it is said that there were no injuries.

A Hampshire Fire spokesperson said: "Five crews from Fareham, Hightown, Botley, Portchester and St Mary's were dispatched to The Willows in Park Gate at around 8.26pm.

"Three vans were alight, and the fire spread to a nearby building. Four appliances and an aerial ladder platform were used, along with 20 breathing apparatus, three standard jets and two hose reel jets.

"Crews left the scene at 11.30pm and there were no injuries. We received a high volume of calls for this incident and the fire could be seen from quite a distance away."

Police were called to the scene shortly after, and officers have now confirmed an investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances of the vehicle fire.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we are investigating the circumstances of a vehicle fire in the Halford’s car-park, Southampton Road, Fareham.

"We were called just before 9pm last night (5 May) by our colleagues at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"The fire was extinguished but caused damage to three vehicles and cosmetic damage to a property adjacent to the compound. No injuries were reported and a scene remains in place, and there will be a police presence at the compound throughout the morning. We are working with a Fire Investigator to establish the cause of the fire."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to call 101, quoting the reference number of 44200159388.