YOUTHS were reportedly spotted on the roof of an abandoned Christchurch building before a fire started, police have said. 

Firefighters attended a ground floor fire of a derelict building in Somerford Road in Christchurch shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, February 28, along with police who had received reports of youths on the roof of the building. 

The youths had reportedly fled the scene before the police arrived and enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved. 

A spokesperson for Christchurch Police said: “Luckily during this incident the fire was isolated and safety measures have been put in place with the owner and fire service securing the building. 

“There are lots of dangers with vacant buildings and youths climbing in and on them is very dangerous as it can result in injury or worse. It is important for parents to speak with their children and to know where they are and safe.” 

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 6.04pm on Tuesday evening about a fire on Somerford Road, Christchurch.  

“Two crews from Christchurch attended the incident which involved a fire on the ground floor of a derelict building – firefighters extinguished using a heathland knapsack, and our stop came at 6.32pm.”