POLICE have been called after a fire broke out in Verwood.

Firefighters sent two pumps to tackle a heath fire which started just before 8am this morning.

The site, at St Stephen's Castle, saw a large fire spread across the land measuring approximately 100m by 70 at its peak.

Fire officers contacted the police following the incident.

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said the stop message was issued at 10.11am but firefighters only left the scene at 11.30am.

“The last message we had was it was an area of heathland. We used six hose reel jets and beaters. We have currently got in attendance two pumps, land rovers, and an off road vehicle.

“We had to call a couple of water carriers as well.”

The spokesman confirmed the call was received at 7.53am and that the fire was slowing.

Police are treating the heath fire as suspicious. If there are any witnesses or anyone has any information, contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 26:55.

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