Police investigate arson in Derby Street, Weymouth

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Officers are investigating a suspected arson attack after emergency services were called around 3am on Wednesday to a fire on the ground floor of a flat in Derby Street, Weymouth.

The alleged arson attack happened around 3am on Wednesday at a flat in Derby Street

The fire was confined to the rear of the property after a brown leather couch was set alight, which ripped through the bottom floor - including one of the rentable rooms.

The entrance to the flat smelt of smoke two days after the fire according to the tenants

Landlord Peter Rayworth said: "The fire crew told me the temperature was over 400 degrees.

"It melted two fire alarms, which are designed to withstand around 270 degrees. So you can imagine the heat - it would have been an inferno."

Landlord Peter Hayworth said the fire reached temperatures of over 400 degrees, which melted the fire alarms

Tenant Ken Hughes said: "I was woke up by the flashing lights from the fire engine.

"I left my room and was met by waves of black smoke. Breathing that in can be nasty.

"I had a headache and a terrible cough afterwards because of the lack of oxygen, but I feel lucky."

A brown leather couch left in tatters after the fire ripped through the material

Mr Rayworth said he is 'furious' by the actions of the person responsible.

"Three people's lives have been put at risk - and that makes me furious," he said.

"The room that's been destroyed was magnolia white and it's blackened and stinks.

"I rent these rooms because I'm trying make ends meet and now one of my rooms is unlivable, which is unfair."

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The fire damage spread through the flat to the bathroom, which Mr Hayworth said has been left with blackened streaks down the walls

A spokeswoman from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to Derby Street, Weymouth at 3.04am for a fire in a ground floor flat.

"Two crews from Weymouth attended, and two breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire, while a ventilation fan was used to clear the smoke.

"The stop came at 3.41am."

Two fire crews, police and an ambulance were called to Derby Street in Weymouth between 3am to 4am on Wednesday 19 May. Pictures: Sharon Cox

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 3.42am on Wednesday from the fire service in relation to a fire in a property in Derby Street.

"The fire service extinguished the fire and one man was treated by the ambulance service for smoke inhalation.

"It was reported the cause of the fire was believed to be suspicious.

"We can confirm the fire is being treated as arson.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage."

Derby Street in Weymouth