FIREFIGHTERS spent a day battling a blaze after arsonists torched a barn.

Dozens of firefighters tackled the fire, which destroyed the farm building in Icen Lane, Bincombe, Weymouth.

The blaze ripped through the two-storey barn consuming more than 100 bales of hay that were stored inside.

It is the latest in a series of arson attacks in Weymouth in recent months.

Firefighters and police were called to the scene at around 6am yesterday morning.

Concerned motorists called Dorset Fire and Rescue after seeing smoke drifting across the Weymouth relief road.

Crews remained on scene for more than 12 hours to allow the blaze to burn out under control.

Dorset Police said they believe the cause of the fire to be deliberate.

A cordon was put up due to fears of exposed asbestos after the barn’s roof began to collapse.

Detective Constable James Mullen, of Weymouth CID, said at the scene: “We are treating the fire as suspicious and investigations will continue.

“Dorset Police received a call from members of the public at around 6am to reports of a barn fire on Icen Lane.

“The area has been cordoned off as the roof has begun to collapse and there is a presence of asbestos.”

Paul Saywell, who lives adjacent to the barn, said: “We were woken up by really loud cracking and banging noises so we came outside to see what was going on and saw that the barn was alight.

“I called the fire brigade and the police and they arrived really quickly.”

Firefighters used the water supply at Mr Saywell’s property to help counter the blaze.

He added: “It was a big fire and we are helping the police with their enquiries. The farmer who owns the barn is from Buckland Ripers. It is a real shame.”

Incident commander Dave Allan, of Dorset Fire and Rescue, said: “The service received several calls from members of the public at around 6am to report a large barn on fire in the Bincombe area, visible from the relief road.

“Two fire crews from Weymouth Fire Station attended the two storey barn, which was storing more than 100 bales of hay.

“The entire floor of the barn was found to be covered in fire and is now completely destroyed.

“There is slight asbestos exposure and crews will remain on scene until the area is safe.”

He added that crews remained on the scene dampening down until yesterday evening.

Series of blazes in area

THE barn blaze is the latest in a spate of arson attacks throughout the area.

Arsonists torched two cars in Lorton Lane and Littlemead, Weymouth and a tractor near Dorchester almost two weeks ago.

One car was destroyed while the tractor and other vehicles were left severely damaged.

A few days before, another blaze engulfed three caravans, a car and a camper van in Chelwood Gate car park off Chickerell Road in Weymouth.

The fire spread and caused damage to fencing and homes.

Earlier this year arsonists stole a car then torched it in an underpass beneath the Weymouth relief road.

A series of arson attacks were carried out on vehicles in Littlemoor and the old chapel in Melcombe Regis Cemetery.