Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Hightown were called to Spring Road shortly before 6am, arriving to find three vans – a Vauxhall, a Ford Transit and a Citroen Relay – well alight.
Each vehicle suffered damage before the blaze was extinguished using hose reels and jets, with firefighters returning to station shortly after 7am.
Police have launched an investigation and are treating it as a suspected arson attack.
One neighbour said they were fast asleep when they were woken by a loud noise.
Police have launched an investigation after three vans were set fire in Spring Road (Image: Dakir Thanveer)
Another said: “I thought at first that cars had hit each and then there was a series of bangs and it kept going.”
Another resident, whose husband owns one of the burnt vans, said she was alerted by persistent car horns before making the alarming discovery.
She told the Echo: “Someone was honking their car horn for ages, and then I heard some shouting and looked out the window, saw my husband’s van on fire, then saw the one in front of it on fire.”
She added that the fire crews told the family that something had been thrown through the window of each van, and said her husband had no obvious enemies and “no beef with anyone”.
Police have launched an investigation after three vans were set fire in Spring Road (Image: Dakir Thanveer)
A spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Police were informed as it is believed the fires were set deliberately, with fire investigators attending the scene this morning.”
Police confirmed that officers were called by the fire service shortly after 6am and attended the scene, immediately cordoning off the street.
Forensic officers in full protective suits were pictured examining the burnt-out vehicles on the residential street.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that no injuries have been reported and the investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing but it is being treated as a suspected arson at this time.”
No arrests have been made.