An arson investigation has been launched into a fire at a former bank in Shirley.

Fames ripped through the former Barclays bank on Shirley Road on Monday night.

Onlookers gathered on Shirley high street outside Lidl as 35 firefighters from St Mary’s, Redbridge, Hightown, Totton and Eastleigh worked through the night evening to bring the blaze under control. Neighbouring Santo Lounge customers had to flee the building.

No one was injured and no arrests were made at the scene.

However, three days on from the incident, Hampshire police have confirmed officers are treating the fire as arson – with the investigation still ongoing.

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Police on Shirley Road the day after a fire ripped through a derelict building (Image: Tony Weafer) In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called at 4.49pm on Monday, December 2, to reports of a fire at the old Barclays Bank site in Shirley Road.

“The fire is being treated as arson and police enquiries remain ongoing.

“We would urge people not to speculate on the circumstances or who is involved, and instead to report any information directly to police. You can do this by calling 101 and quoting 44240525150.

“We’d also like to hear from anyone with any footage, including mobile phone, dash cam, doorbell camera, or any other CCTV.”

Anna and Philip Parkinson were inside Santo Lounge when a man rushed in and told them that the building next-door was on fire. 

Speaking to the Echo, Anna said: “We were just enjoying a few drinks and suddenly somebody bursting off the street.

“At that point when everyone got up in the building and we could see the smoke start to get larger and larger. 

"We have stood outside Lidl, and it only took about five minutes after the smoke started for the windows to suddenly burst out and shatter."

Shirley Road was closed as firefighters tackled the blaze, resulting in ten Bluestar buses becoming stranded in Shirley, unable to reach passengers throughout the city.

One passenger said: “I couldn’t believe how many fire engines were here when I got out.”