AN ARSON probe has been launched after a store containing 1,000 litres of fuel near a river was torched.

Emergency services rushed to Bournemouth Boating Services in Belle Vue Road in the early hours of Monday morning to tackle the fire.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We were called to Belle Vue Road, Bournemouth at 4.28am on August 23 for a fire involving a fuel store.

"Three crews attended, two from Christchurch and one from Springbourne, together with a support appliance from Poole.

"The store contained 500 litres of diesel and 500 litres of petrol, and firefighters used two breathing apparatus wearers, a main jet and a foam jet to both extinguish the fire and contain it to the one part of the building.

"They also managed to contain a leakage of fuel into the river. The stop was at 5.33am and we had left the scene by 7.20am."

Southbourne Coastguard attended the scene due to concerns a boat may have been on fire but the incident was restricted to land.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Officers attended to carry out enquiries at the scene. There were no reports of any injuries.

Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Bournemouth CID, said: “An investigation is underway into the fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately.

“I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday 23 August 2021 to please come forward.

“I would urge any motorists who were travelling in the area to please check their dashcams for any relevant footage to assist my enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210135925. Alternatively, to stay anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.