POLICE are investigating after a fire at a disused unit on the Ebblake Industrial Estate in Verwood.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Dorset Police were called to the incident at about 7.45pm on Tuesday (April 27)

Police have confirmed that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

A statement on the East Dorset Police Facebook page said: "Persons were seen entering the disused unit and a short time later smoke was seen. A fire had been started within the building.

"The fire was extinguished quickly without large amounts of damage. This is thanks to the quick thinking member of the community that called the emergency services.

"We are following up lines of enquiry to establish the circumstances of this fire and identify the persons responsible."

Officers have asked for the publics help to track down the owners of a number of items which they believe were left behind by the people involved in starting the fire.

Items believed to have been left behind at the scene of an arson at Ebblake Industrial Estate in Verwood. Picture: East Dorset Police

Items believed to have been left behind at the scene of an arson at Ebblake Industrial Estate in Verwood. Picture: East Dorset Police

The statement added: "If you know who these items belong to please let us know.

"Your help in this matter will help us to keep your community safe and possibly prevent further offences."

Two fire crews from Verwood and Ringwood attended the incident.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "We were called to Ebblake Industrial Estate, Bessemer Close, Verwood at 8.05pm on Tuesday for a fire in a derelict industrial unit.

"Two crews attended, from Verwood and Ringwood, and one hose reel jet was used to extinguish a small amount of rubbish."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police by calling 101 or visiting the website, quoting reference number 55210066145.

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