A BARN on a council-owned farm was set on fire two days after a resident called police about youths at the site.

The barn at Hicks Farm in Throop Road, Bournemouth, was set on fire on Monday, April 22.

Around 35 firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze at around 7.15pm. 

Owned by the council, the fire produced a large amount of smoke due to the barn containing wood and hay.

Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed while emergency services dealt with the incident. 

A resident who lived opposite the farm said: "I was at Castlepoint when my daughter told me.

"I came back and by then the smoke was like huge plumes of dark clouds. I tried to let my dogs out at about 11pm and it absolutely stank."

Residents said it has been common to see a group of youths at the farm with one resident reporting it to police twice on Saturday. 

Another said the farm has been left 'derelict' by the council.

One resident said: "There were kids in there on Saturday [April 20] smashing the place up and I did phone the police twice.

"I believe it happened once before about a year or 18 months ago and it was the same pattern of behaviour."

Police said they believe the fire was started deliberately with an investigation launched. 

There were no injuries reported and no arrests have been made.

Dorset Police said two days earlier, the force received a report at 4.26pm on Saturday, April 20, that a group of young people had entered a building in Throop Road in Bournemouth.

A spokesperson said: "Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, but the group was not located.

"The occupants of the building were spoken to and it was established that no entry was gained and no damage to property found."

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: “Our priority is to secure the site and fence off the barn and surrounding area until it can be checked and assessed for structural safety.

“We are grateful to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for their fast and effective response which limited the damage and enabled us to save some equipment.”