COMMUNITIES are calling for action against young fire yobs in Weymouth after two separate arson attacks within a few hours of each other.

An old chapel in Melcombe Regis Cemetery at Westham was gutted by a devastating fire on Wednesday evening which caused chaos as the smoke was so thick and roads had to be closed.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and bailed and police are hunting three other youths seen in the area.

A resident’s car was destroyed by fire and a motorbike set alight early yesterday in the latest spate or arson attacks at Littlemoor. Children as young as 14 are suspected.

Residents in both areas are calling for action to tackle teenage vandals.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and Dorset Police are conducting a joint investigation into the chapel fire.

Fire scene investigators were at the chapel, which is used as a storage area by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, yesterday assessing damage. Daylight was clearly visible through burnt holes in the roof and the area of the church was cordoned off for safety. No graves were damaged.

Residents said it wasn’t the first time the cemetery had been vandalised, with notice boards being burnt down.

Others said gangs of youths often hung out in the cemeteries.

Community group chairman for Westham Ryan Hope said that with the warmer months there did tend to be an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said: “I’m concerned they’re hanging round in there. Not only because of intimidation but for their own safety too.”

Mr Hope added that there was no need for young people to hang around in the cemeteries when there were other places to go.

He said: “I think the excuse people use of nothing to do isn’t viable in this day and age.”

Councillor for Westham North Christine James said: “I have had some complaints from people there because the notice boards had been vandalised by being set on fire.”

She added: “I’m getting fed up with people saying there’s nothing to do. There’s more to do than when I was a kid.”

Westham residents expressed their shock at the fire.

Rita Totten-Robinson said: “That’s a lovely little chapel, why did they do it?

“It’s holy ground. People have loved ones there.”

Mum Sarah Norris said: “It’s really sad. To be honest I was gobsmacked. What a lovely little quaint chapel.”

• DORSET Police are appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: “We made an arrest of a 16 year-old Weymouth boy. He was released on bail until mid-May. We would appeal for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in or around the chapel to contact us on 101 quoting incident number 359 of the 11th.”

Weymouth CID confirmed that police were also looking for three other males seen in the area.

• Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said it was too early to say what the implications would be for the future of the chapel.

Director of communities Kate Hindson said: “We are very sad to see the damage that this fire has caused to the chapel, which has a great deal of significance for many residents, past and present, in the community.

“I would like to thank the emergency services for their rapid response in bringing the fire under control and ensuring it did not spread any further.”

She added: “The council is working with the fire and police services to make the scene safe and secure.”