The blackened shells of houses on one side of Stamford Walk leave a stark reminder of the horrifying blaze which tore across the street in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Many people were woken by the sound of neighbours kicking at doors and some first feared burglars were attacking their houses.

Sidney Porter, who lives opposite the damaged houses, said: "We got up and looked out of the window. Even though you could see a red glow behind the back of these houses, we were more concerned about what we thought was going on here.

"Then, out of the blue, from being a red glow, flames shot up through the roof. That is when we started hearing there were people in the houses and that is why there was banging on the doors.

"It was so fierce. We thought the sparks were going to hit our house and our side of the street was going to catch as well."

DI Gerry Darling, of Humberside Police, said of the suspected arson: "At the moment investigations are at an early stage and examinations are being delayed due to structural problems. It is being treated very seriously.

"We would appeal to anyone who has seen anything to come forward.
"Officers are making inquiries in the area and are hoping to find witnesses."

Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the Stamford Walk area around midnight on Tuesday to contact them on 0845 6060222, quoting log number 23 of May 2.