A fire that broke out behind a café and beauty salon in Bournemouth town centre is being treated as arson, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.
Firefighters were called to reports of smoke coming from the rear of the Collective salon and Fika café on Westover Road just prior to 9am on Monday morning.
Dave Allen, chief fire advisor at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We believe this has been deliberately set.
“There is CCTV footage of a person, and we have handed that over to the police.”
Crews from Springbourne, Redhill, and Christchurch were amongst those to tackle the blaze, with approximately 20 firefighters at the scene.
Local businesses were temporarily evacuated as a precaution, and parts of Westover Road were cordoned off by police during the incident.
An ambulance crew was on standby throughout although no casualties have been reported.
Both the salon and café owners have refused to comment as the investigation continues.
The incident marks one of several fire-related callouts in the Bournemouth this month prompting renewed awareness around fire safety and prevention across local commercial premises.
Dorset Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area between 8:30 and 9:00am to come forward.
Investigators are now working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the suspected arson was targeted or random.
They can be contacted at 01202 222222 or via their website: https://www.dorset.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
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