Police Say Fire In Poole Was Arson
Police are treating a fire at a doctors surgery in Canford Heath, Poole, as arson.
They say two fires were started at a shopping precinct in Culliford Crescent in Canford Heath around 2.30am on Tuesday 12th June 2012.
Dorset Fire and Rescue released this statement:
At approximately 2.30am, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was called to a property fire in Culliford Crescent, Canford Heath, Poole. Crews from Poole attended this incident within six minutes but shortly requested support. At the height of this incident, six fire engines and two specialist appliances (the aerial ladder platform and a water carrier) were dealing with this incident, approximately 40 firefighters.
The fire was located in the roof of a building, believed to be used as a doctors surgery, Crews used six sets of breathing apparatus, three main lines and one hose reel jet to extinguish this fire.
The roof of the building has been completely destroyed in the fire. A fire investigation officer is at this incident conducting a full investigation into the cause of this fire.
Talking about the icnident in more details, Detective Constable Shanena Stewart, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said:
"It is suspected that one or more waste bins nearby were set alight deliberately and as a result the roof of the surgery has ignited and is now completely destroyed.
"There is major external damage from the fire and internal water damage.
"There were no signs of forced entry and we do not suspect any offenders entered the premises, albeit it is believed this was a deliberate ignition and not accidental."
A short while after the fire was discovered, another wheelie bin was found alight at the rear of a parade of shops near to the doctors surgery – fortunately this was only limited to the bin.
DC Stewart continued:
"Luckily no one was injured. However, this will have a huge effect on the local community which includes many elderly residents."
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101.