With fires raging across the region over the weekend – including a massive blaze attended by 90 firefighters at Studland Heath – Dorset Police are seeking information about a case of arson at Upton Heath.

At around 2.30pm on Thursday 4 August, a call was made to the fire service about the large heath fire.

A significant number of fire appliances attended and firefighters spent a number of hours at the scene extinguishing the blaze. Officers also attended to assist the fire service with road closures.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been carried out by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, which has established that the fire was started deliberately.

Police Constable Rhianna Sly, of Dorset Police, said: “This fire has had a significant impact on the community and I would like to reassure them that a full investigation is underway.

“Witnesses have reported seeing three young people on bikes making off from the scene at the time the fire started and I am appealing to anyone else who saw these people, captured anything of relevance on dashcam or knows who is responsible to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220126459. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.