POLICE are hunting arsonists thought to be behind a second heath blaze in two days.

Dorset Fire and Rescue received more than 40 calls to the fire which was started behind a school just before 6pm on Monday.

Head teacher of St Aldhelm’s CE VA Combined School Neil Revell told how a passing member of the public banged on the door of the school to alert staff to the blaze.

“When I came out of the school it was frightening to see the flames,” said Mr Revell.

“I called the emergency services but I think a lot of other people had already done so.”

Mr Revell said the fire encroached on to a small area of the school’s Site of Special Scientific Interest but stressed it was not an area used by pupils and that the school was not under threat.

He said there were a number of members of staff at the Winston Road school at the time, including himself, a deputy head, business manager and cleaning staff.

Nearby resident Lucinda Christopher said: “It is horrible to see the damage done – it has been very dry. I always go for walks on the heath.”

And resident Christine Green added: “It is quite bad. I wouldn’t have expected it to catch light like that.”

Appliances from Westbourne and Redhill Park attended the fire, along with light off-road vehicles from Hamworthy and Ferndown.

Two hose reel jets and three main lines were used to tackle the fire from east and west in order to protect nearby buildings.

An area 100m by 50m was damaged by the blaze.

The fire came just two days after a heath fire threatened to engulf properties in the Valley view area.

Flames leapt 20ft in the air and 40 firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control at about 12.45pm on Saturday.

Police and heath rangers are now investigating the incident and anyone with information is urged to call Dorset Police on 101 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.