A GARAGE targeted in a Poole arson attack was cordoned off by specialist contractors because of health fears linked to asbestos.

Civic officials confirmed the single-storey building at Wessex Road, Ashley Cross, which was targeted last week, did contain asbestos cement and that contractors were drafted-in to deal with the issue.

Wessex Road was cordoned off while the asbestos was removed. The road has since reopened.

Asbestos cement, a mixture of asbestos and cement, can be found in a number of older buildings and while not as dangerous as asbestos on its own, can still present health problems if not dealt with properly.

A council spokesman said: "Following a fire at a domestic garage, Borough of Poole engaged a specialist asbestos contractor to remove all of the asbestos cement that had been carried to the surrounding area as a result of the fire.

"The council has been in contact with neighbours and local residents to make them aware of the incident."

The garage was one of three suspected arson attacks carried out within half a mile of one another last Sunday. Firefighters first tackled a fire involving a wheelie bin in Church Road, just before 2.30am.

Minutes later, they were called to reports of a garage fire in Station Road.

Two crews attended the private housing complex and were told the garage housed several mobility scooters.

Then, barely twenty minutes later, the same crews were called to reports of the Wessex Road fire.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The officer in charge believed that there was asbestos in the roof of the garage so all crews wore masks at the scene, and the fire was extinguished by crews wearing two sets of breathing apparatus using one hose reel jet."

The fire was out by 3.50am.

Police say no arrests have been made, but they are treating all three fires as arson.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: "We actually heard the garage fire in Wessex Road, we heard lots of fire engines and this popping sound. I cannot believe someone could be doing this on purpose. Worrying if you live around here."