A HOUSE FIRE that broke out in Poole is believed to have been started deliberately.

The fire began in the early hours of September 4 on Northmere Road.

A witness claimed that two people "trashed" the house before setting it on fire, and that a cat has been missing since the blaze broke out.

They wrote on social media: "Lads broke into a house, trashed and set it on fire so who knows what else these idiots got up to last night.

"My beautiful cat has been missing since. It's not like her to do so.

"Please, if anyone has seen her...please contact me."

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: “We were called at 12.39am on September 4 with reports of a property fire.

“Crews from Poole, Redhill Park, and Aerial Ladder Platform from Westbourne were mobilised to the scene and on arrival found a fire on the first floor of a detached property. 

"Four breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet and one safety jet to extinguish the fire. 

“The police were asked to attend as this is believed to be a deliberate fire.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 12.53 am of a fire at an address in Northmere Road in Poole.

"It is believed the fire was started deliberately.

"A cordon was put in place to allow for an examination of the scene to be carried out.

"Enquiries are continuing into the incident.

"No arrests have been made."

An investigation has now been opened to determine the cause of the fire.