A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire involving a shop front in Bournemouth town centre in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The fire at Hotter Shoes in Old Christchurch Road was extinguished at around 2.45am and damage was caused to the shop front.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: “We received a report at 2.19am from the fire service in relation to a fire in the doorway of a commercial property in Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth.

“Officers attended and, following enquiries it was reported that the cause of the fire was believed to be suspicious.

“An update was received from the fire service that the fire was extinguished at around 2.45am. There were no reports of any injuries and damage was caused to a shopfront.

“Following further enquiries, a 55-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of arson.”

A spokesperson from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 2:09am this morning with reports of a fire at the front of a shop on Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth. 

"Crews from Westbourne, Springbourne, Redhill and Christchurch were mobilised and on arrival found a fire within the shop front and facias."