POLICE have launched an investigation as they believe someone deliberately set the doorway of an empty retail unit in the town last night.

The incident happened on Jewry Street at around 9pm last night (Friday, March 25). The empty retail unit was previously the Sofa Workshop.

A shopping trolley full of items - believed to belong to a homeless person - in the doorway had caught fire alongside other abandoned items.

A spokesperson for the Hampshire Constabulary now confirmed that they believe the belongings were deliberately set on fire, but not the store itself.

Police were called at 9.10pm while fire crews were called at around 9.15pm after reports of fire in the doorway and fascia of the property.

Jewry Street was closed for a while when the firefighters were dealing with the incident.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used one hose reel jet to put the fire out and the stop message was received at 9.58pm.

Crews, from Alresford and Whitchurch who attended the incident, left the scene at 10pm and the road was reopened.

Police are now asking members of the public to come forward if they have any information about the incident.

People can call police on 101 quoting 44220119191.

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