AN investigation has been launched into an oil tanker fire that is believed to have been started deliberately.

Fire crews from Bridport and Charmouth extinguished the blaze, in Pine View, Bridport, just after 4pm on Monday afternoon.

Two breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to put out the fire.

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said that it was a "small fire" and that the tanker was believed to be disused.

The spokesman added: "We were comfortable that it was a deliberate ignition and we referred it to the police."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 4.39pm yesterday to reports of an oil tanker on fire in Pine View, Bridport.

"The fire service told us they had to extinguish the fire and they said, in their opinion, it was a deliberate ignition.

"An investigation is underway to see who is responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 2:246.