A PAVILION fire in Dowlish Wake last night is believed to have been started deliberately, a fire service spokesman has confirmed.

Fire engines from Chard, Ilminster and Yeovil were all rushed to the scene to the south of the village shortly before 7.20pm yesterday evening (Thursday, October 13).

The 18m by 18m wooden pavilion was well alight when the crews arrived and they got to work using a compressed air foam branch and hose reel jet.

Crews confirmed there were LPG cylinders (liquid petroleum gas) at the back of the pavilion. Fire crews removed them from the building and dampened them down before they became involved in the blaze.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "A fire investigation officer has been requested to attend due to the suspicious nature of the incident and a hazardous materials officer has been sent due to the cylinders."

The fire crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, two cafs branch, one safety jet and one thermal image camera as they fough the fire for more three and a half hours.

At 11pm, crews were still on scene damping down hotspots and the LPG cylinders had been cooled.

The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate. The police are in attendance investigating.