The fire service suspects that a blaze at a property in Shaftesbury Road was started deliberately.

Dorset Police received a report at 8.09pm on Friday 27 May relating to a fire at a row of bushes adjacent to the home which then spread, causing damage to the address.

Police Constable Benjamin Sutcliffe, of East Dorset police, said: “This incident has had a significant impact on the local community and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and identify who was responsible.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened, or has any information that might assist our enquiries, to please contact us.

“I would also urge residents with home CCTV systems, or any motorists with dashcam fitted who were in the vicinity around the relevant time, to please check their footage for anything that might help our investigation.”

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 55220084742. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.