A SERIES of suspicious fires that posed "a risk to life" are being investigated by the police with witnesses being encouraged to come forward.

As reported, Bridport Fire Station responded to bin fires in the early hours of last Friday.

Crews from the station were first called to a fire on West Street at 2.05am with a second bin fire discovered at another location on West Street at 2.25am followed by a third incident on St Swithins Road.

Officers have been liasing with the fire service and the cause of the fires is believed to be suspicious.

Police Constable Kirsti Frecknall, of West Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into these fires, which we believe were caused deliberately, and I would urge anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward.

“I would like to hear from any witnesses or anyone who may have captured anything relevant on dashcam or home CCTV"

At the time a spokesperson for Bridport Fire Station said:  "Due to suspicious circumstances the police were requested to attend and hopefully will be able to obtain CCTV footage.

"Thankfully there was no damage to any properties other than the bins.

"Had these fires not been spotted and dealt with quickly it could have escalated further resulting in significant fires causing major damage to property and risk to life."

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 55220100798.

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