DETECTIVES investigating a suspicious house fire in Bournemouth have released CCTV in a bid to encourage a potential witness to come forward.

Two women were left unconscious after the blaze in Milford Drive, reported to the emergency services at around 3pm on Sunday, July 2.

It is believed that an arsonist set the fire through a cat flap in the front door.

The fire destroyed the front door and caused heavy smoke damage throughout the property.

The occupants were not in the house at the time.

However, two women who tried to save the owners' cats from the burning house were found unconscious on the floor of the home.

They were treated at hospital for smoke inhalation.

It is not thought that the cats were injured.

Officers have now released a CCTV image of a vehicle that was in the area shortly before the fire was reported.

Detective Constable Luke Davis, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Officers have carried out a number of local enquiries including house to house and to see if any residents or businesses have CCTV available.

“As a result I am now in a position to release a CCTV image showing a Dacia Duster car driving past the address at 2.55pm, five minutes before the first call to the fire service.

“I am keen to speak to the driver or occupants of the vehicle to establish whether they may have seen any suspicious activity or have any information that can assist us.

“The car came from the direction of Exbury Drive and drove into Benbridge Avenue.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police,uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170100040.