Police believe a major fire in Bournemouth could have been an arson attack. 

Residents heard a series of explosions as a blaze tore through a disused workshop after starting in an alleyway behind Shelbourne Road, Charminster. 

A huge plume of dark smoke could be seen for miles around as fire took hold of the building, shortly after 1pm on Thursday, June 1.

Video by Paul Champion

The outbuilding, which stands behind students' homes, is owned by the DWP Housing Partnership. It had been used to store items including gas cylinders and cars, although in April planning permission was granted to replace the building and adjacent garages with three bungalows.

The blaze spread to a number of garages and destroyed various property inside the buildings including vehicles. A conservatory was also badly damaged.

The area was evacuated and a cordon was set up to allow the fire service to tackle the blaze.

It is not believed anyone was injured in the incident.

Detective Constable Chris Griffin, of Bournemouth CID, said: "Following an initial investigation by the fire service, the fire investigator has identified that the blaze began in an oil drum in the alleyway and spread to other buildings.

"However, at this stage it is unclear if the fire was started maliciously or had just been left unsupervised. The owner of the drum has not yet been identified.

"I would ask that anyone who has any more information about the fire or who saw anyone acting suspiciously around the time of the incident to please contact police urgently."

Incident commander and station manager Julian Lockwood said the cause of the "large fire" is under investigation.

"The fire involved a disused workshop, which doesn't seem to have been used for a number of years," he said.

"Quite a few vehicles are involved, as well as cylinders and tyres.

"We evacuated the area to ensure that everyone was safe.

"Fire investigators will look into the cause."

The workshop was completely destroyed in the blaze. A conservatory was also badly damaged, and two properties sustained smoke damage.

Firefighters from Wimborne, Redhill, Westbourne and Christchurch were called to the scene, as well as police officers, who closed stretches of Bennett Road, Capstone Road, Cyril Road, Shelbourne Road and Chatsworth Road.

Paramedics also attended. However, no one was injured.

Fire crews forced their way into one house as the occupants, a group of university students, were sitting an exam.

Anne Mills, who lives nearby, said: "People were setting off fireworks last night and when I heard the explosion I said, 'that's more fireworks going off'.

"But my husband said, 'That's not a firework'. There were these huge 'booms' as the cannisters were exploding.

"There were a number of big explosions, one after the other. We came running out to see what had happened and if anyone had been hurt."

Mrs Mills said firefighters had broken through the front door of one of the properties to get to the blaze.

"There was thick black smoke everywhere," she said.

"It was quite shocking."

Other neighbours said the workshop stands next to garages, which are used by the drivers of three Range Rovers and a Jeep.

"All sorts of things are kept there, including the cylinders," one said.

"The black smoke was likely tyres burning."

Margo Yogaruth, who lives in the road, said: "It looked really dramatic when it first started.

"It was quite a shock to see the smoke."

Steve Wells of DWP Housing Partnership said: “The garages and workshop behind 84-92 Shelbourne Road belong to us.

“The workshop is let out but we understand that our tenant has not been there for several months.

“Our dedicated fire officer has been at the scene, but it is too early to know how the fire started.”