AN arson investigation has been launched following a blaze at a Weymouth supermarket.
It is believed that troublemakers set fire to wheelie bins outside the Tesco Express store on Lodmoor Hill.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called to the store in the early hours of Monday.
Two wheelie bins filled with rubbish were set on fire and the area was littered with burned food and melted green bins yesterday morning.
One Fernhill Avenue resident, who lives near the store but did not wish to be named, said: “The fire was started deliberately there’s no doubt about it.
“It wouldn’t set light on its own.
“We have had trouble before with people going up there and taking food from the bins.”
He added: “I’m amazed it didn’t cause more damage.
“It melted the alarm and it’s lucky that the doors at the back were metal.
“The whole building could have gone up.”
He added that the area often had a lot of litter around it.
Fire services said that the bins had been set on fire in a ‘mindless’ arson attack.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “Two fire engines from Weymouth went to the area at 1.20am on Monday and found a large quantity of rubbish alight at the back of the store.
“It was extinguished using hose reel jets.
“Smoke from the fire went into the shop and the rear of the shop suffered smoke damage.”
Firefighters vented the property and waited for the key holder of the store to arrive so they could check the building.
Fire crews asked Dorset Police to attend the scene, as they believed the blaze was arson.
The spokesman for the fire service said: “It is believed to have been started maliciously and if it was then it was a mindless act that took vital resources away from other emergencies.”
The emergency services are now investigating the blaze.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor Bill White lives near the area. He said it was an ‘unfortunate’ incident.
Mr White added: “Fortunately we haven’t had a lot of trouble in the past.
“We have had a bit of litter out the back of the store but the staff have been good about making sure it doesn’t build up too much.
“I have every confidence in the police and Safer Neighbourhood Team and hopefully the culprits will be found quickly,” he said. Anyone with information is asked to call Weymouth police on 01305 222222.
