AN arson probe has been launched after a building in a former Poole milk yard was seriously damaged by fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning. 

Firefighters were called to the empty single-storey building, Churchill Road, Parkstone, after receiving multiple 999 calls.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) crews from Redhill and Westbourne attended the scene and used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to bring the fire under control.

 

 

Neighbours told the Daily Echo they heard loud crackling and popping, while flames and smoke were spotted billowing from the structure.

DFRS investigators believe the fire was started deliberately, and Dorset Police confirmed yesterday they are treating the incident as possible arson.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture by @DoorsofDorset

Neighbour Bill Lumber said: "Someone across the road came and knocked for me, that is when I realised something was going on.

"There was all sorts of banging and crashing. The firemen went in through the front of the building but the fire looked at its worse in the middle.

"The place used to be an old Co-op milk yard, my wife used to work there.

"It hasn't been used open for at least 25 years, but you do occasionally get a homeless guy there. I haven't seen him for a while though."

DFRS confirmed no-one was injured in the incident, and police say no arrests have been made in connection with events.

Parkstone resident Nicola Beale said: "I came down the road about 12.20am. I just heard lots of banging and popping, the sorts of noises you normally associate with a fire but a lot louder.

"That building has been empty for as long as I have lived here."

A DFRS spokesman confirmed they attended the building fire around 12.15am and the fire was under control within the hour.

The spokesman said: "Two whole time crews from Redhill and Westbourne attended this incident.

"Upon arrival crews confirmed the building was well alight and tackled the fire with two main lines and two breathing apparatus.

"The cause was believed to have been deliberate, with one hundred per cent fire and smoke damage to the contents of e building and fifty per cent fire damage to the roof of the building."

Any witnesses should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 30:08