INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after two suspected arson attacks, an attempted break-in and a burglary in and around Withycombe in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police have linked all the incidents and have arrested one person who has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Firefighters from Minehead and one from Williton were sent to Oak Lane at 6.46am on Sunday after a fire broke out in a listed barn and linhay which were in the process of being renovated.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had been burning for several hours before it was discovered.

"The buildings are in a remote area and the roof had collapsed before we got there.

"It was unsafe for our crews to enter so they fought the blaze from the outside," he said.

The fire engulfed the entire interior of the building and severely damaged all floors.

"The cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate and the building was vacant at the time," the spokesman said.

Police said the damaged buildings had to be structurally assessed before crime scene investigations could be carried out.

Earlier on Sunday morning, emergency crews were also called to a car fire in Sandhill Lane, Bilbrook, just before 6am.

The vehicle was on its roof in the lane and emergency services had to work quickly to ascertain whether anyone was trapped inside.

Fire crews from Williton, Minehead and Taunton were sent to the scene and used two hose reel jets to tackle the flames.

No-one was found in the car and a police spokesman said the vehicle was believed to have been taken without consent from an address in Withycombe earlier that morning.