Police investigate 'suspicious' fire at derelict site

Police are investigating a large fire that tore through a derelict building earmarked for transformation, after firefighters said they believed it was started deliberately.

The fire at the Saxonvale site in Frome began at about 15:00 BST on Wednesday, with crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service tackling the flames.

Somerset Council previously described the site, spanning 12-acres (about five hectares), as one of the county's most "significant regeneration opportunities". After the fire, the local authority said it did not believe the blaze would have "a material impact" on the site's sale or redevelopment.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was treating the fire as "suspicious".

The force added there was no suggestion anyone was inside the building at the time of the incident.

Earlier, the fire service said it had finished its investigation and believed the blaze had been started deliberately.

It previously said the site's western warehouse sustained 80% fire damage and 100% smoke damage in the blaze.

Councillor Martin Dimery, who represents Frome West on Somerset Council, told BBC Radio Somerset it was "frightening to think it was done deliberately".

"It was dangerously near to the silk mill, which is a lovely arts hub in the town. Extremely worrying," he added.

In May, the council confirmed the site would be marketed to deliver a mixed-use redevelopment after being derelict for decades.

After the fire, the local authority said Saxonvale was "an important site for the future of Frome and the council remains committed to securing a high-quality development that benefits the town and wider community".

Dimery added: "The land is up for sale at the moment, everyone knows it's been a major planning issue for about 20 years.

"We on the council are desperate to get it built and also to help organisations coming forward with ideas about what could be done."

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports regarding the outcome of the fire investigation.

"If confirmed, this would be deeply disappointing.

"We will continue to work closely with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Avon and Somerset Police, and will provide any assistance required to support their ongoing investigations."

They added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further or speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident at this stage."

A community-backed group, which had been hoping to redevelop the site previously, said the fire was "a tragic loss of an iconic building".

The council added security measures at the site - including motion-sensor cameras and 24-hour monitoring by a specialist security company - had already been installed and it had secured entrances and buildings wherever possible.

It said additional security measures had been put in place since the fire, such as patrols, and confirmed the site was insured.

Police want anyone with information to contact officers.

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