The fire service reported the blaze to Dorset Police at around 6pm and police officers are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

The fire is believed to have started near the entrance at the Bloxworth Road end of the nature reserve and a witness reported seeing a teenager emerging from bushes in the area shortly before it started.

The boy was described as white, aged around 15 or 16 and about five feet nine inches tall. He was wearing a baseball cap and navy blue tracksuit with ‘EA7’ on the front.

Police Constable Matthew Batter of Poole police said, “We have been liaising with the fire service and are continuing to investigate this incident.

“We are treating it as a suspected arson and I would urge anyone with information about who is responsible, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, to please contact us.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents to make sure they know where there children are, especially in light of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200065675. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.