Suspected Arson at Church Cemetery in Dorset
A fire that broke out in the early hours at St George’s Church cemetery in Dorchester is believed to have been started deliberately.
A fire that broke out in the early hours at St George’s Church cemetery in Fordington, Dorchester, is being treated as a suspected case of deliberate arson.
Emergency crews were called shortly after 06:00 a.m. when a passer-by reported flames and thick smoke rising from the church grounds. Firefighters extinguished the blaze using a hose reel jet and carried out further operations to ensure the area was fully dampened down.
According to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, initial findings indicate that the fire is likely to have been started intentionally. Dorset Police have launched inquiries as investigations into the circumstances continue.
The incident has raised concerns locally, as the fire occurred within the grounds of a historic church and cemetery site. "On arrival crews met with the caller and located the fire on the grounds of St George’s church. The crew got to work with one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire"- a spkeperson said.
Source: BBC, dorsetecho.co
Photo: dorsetecho.co