POLICE are appealing for any witnesses or anybody with information which might help them in an investigation into a fire which destroyed a derelict building on the former Watchet paper mill site.

The blaze, which happened at about 7 pm on Tuesday, June 2, was attributed by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue to an arson attack.

However, Avon and Somerset Police said the cause of the fire was not yet certain and was still under investigation.

A police spokesperson said officers had attended the scene of the blaze as fire crews from Williton, Minehead, Nether Stowey, and Bridgwater battled for hours to bring it under control.

The spokesperson said: “The fire and rescue service will be investigating to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently unknown.

“Fire crew have indicated that it may have been started deliberately, and police officers would like to hear from witnesses or anybody with dashcam, other footage, or information about suspicious activity in the area between 6 pm and 7 pm on Tuesday.”

Anybody who believes they may be able to help is asked to call 101 and give the reference 5226152015.

West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour has condemned the ‘senseless and deliberate’ fire raising incident and gave her thanks to the fire crews who fought the blaze.

Mrs Gilmour said: “I was shocked by the news that the fire in Watchet was started deliberately.

“My appreciation and thanks go to all the brave men and women of our emergency services, who worked tirelessly to bring the fire at the old paper mill site swiftly under control.

“I condemn this senseless and deliberate act, which put people’s lives and surrounding properties at risk.

“I would like to encourage anybody with information to contact the police to support their investigation.”