AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after two boats were found on fire.

The boats are believed to have been deliberately set alight in Lychett Bay.

RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station was alerted to the incident at around 10pm on Monday, April 8. 

Concerns were raised that there was a possibility of people in the water, but the Coastguard stood the boats down after discovering Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) teams were on the scene.

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: “We were called to the waterline behind South Haven Close, Hamworthy at 9.44pm on Monday 8 April for two boats on fire.

“Two crews attended, from Hamworthy and Poole, and found one boat well alight on the shoreline and the other a couple of metres into the water.

“One hose reel jet and one main jet were used to extinguish the fires, and our stop was at 11.29pm.

“The incident was left with the police as the fires were believed to have been started deliberately.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “At around 10.45pm on Monday 8 April 2024, Dorset Police received a report of two boats on fire in the Lychett Bay area of Poole.

“Officers attended the incident with the fire service.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

“No arrests have been made.”