A fire st Shute Garage, near Axminster, is being treated as suspicious by police

POLICE believe a major fire at Shute Garage, near Axminster, last night (Wednesday, November 3) may have been started deliberately.

The blaze, at around 10.30pm, destroyed a large static caravan, a car and a wooden storage shed in a gated compound opposite the car sales area, alongside the A35.

The fire also brought down overheads power lines, which blacked out some eight homes and two local businesses, including the Little Chef restaurant, before a generator was brought in to restore supplies.

Fire fighters from Axminster, Seaton and Colyton fought the blaze, using breathing apparatus and thermal imaging equipment.

Police crime scene investigators together with fire investigators are currently working at the scene.

A spokesman for the garage declined to comment in detail, other than to say “bonfire night seems to have come early.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 08452 777444 quoting refenece 1188 031110