BUSINESS are facing a “difficult few weeks” after an industrial estate in Weymouth was damaged by a suspected arson attack.

A 23-year-old man from Weymouth has been arrested following a fire at an office block at the Granby Industrial Estate.

A total of six fire engines were called to the property in Albany Road shortly after 6am on Saturday. A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed a 23-year-old man is now assisting police with their inquiries.

It is alleged the blaze was started deliberately at around 6am. Police believe it is linked to another suspected arson at the industrial estate last week.

Mickey Jones, from the building’s owners DJ Property, said police were called to the scene and the cause of the blaze was being investigated. He said: “There has been quite a substantial amount of damage to the building, which is divided up into offices that are let to a number of local businesses. There will be some businesses that will have a tremendous loss and will have lost pretty much everything, and other businesses that will have substantial smoke damage that will certainly stop them trading and doing what they are doing for a substantial period of time.”

Station manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Steve Underhill was at the scene with police carrying out investigations.

Mr Underhill said: “Crews arrived to smoke issuing from the entire length of the building. We encountered fires in multiple locations. Crews have worked hard to extinguish the fires and to try to prevent further smoke damage.”

He added: “The cause is now being investigated by fire and police crime scene investigators.

“A message for other businesses – lots of the internal fire doors were closed which prevented fire and smoke spreading.”

Mr Jones said his focus going forward would be on helping those businesses affected by the fire to put contingency plans in place.

Mr Jones also praised the emergency crews for their rapid response, which prevented the blaze from spreading to any other buildings on the industrial estate.

He said: “The good thing is the fire was contained quite quickly, and that it didn’t spread to any of the neighbouring buildings because there are lots of buildings in close proximity.”

Mr Jones added: “It’s good the fire was contained but it’s very sad for the businesses affected, some of whom have a difficult few weeks coming up.”

Detectives are now investigating the incident and are linking it to a reported arson at Dorset Insulation, which occurred overnight between Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19.

No one was injured in either incident, although a substantial amount of damage has been caused to the business unit.

Detective Constable Ian Davies, of Weymouth CID, said: “We believe the two fires at this business premises are linked and I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at the relevant times to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170010297.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org