Suspicious fire probed in Highbridge.

The latest arson incident occurred on Sunday (February 4) at a block of flats in the town, when a fire was started under cover of darkness at around 7.30pm.

Officers believe that a person or a group of people broke into to the ground floor flat at Gulliford Close before tampering with a gas meter and setting a fire against it.

Fortunately someone spotted the fire-starters at work and managed to raise the alarm to Somerset Fire and Rescue before the flames could spread in the building.

Two engines were sent from Burnham, and managed to prevent any major damage in under an hour. No people were injured.

Expert fire investigators have since concluded that the fire was started deliberately.

Alarmingly, the fire comes only days after a similar incident near to the crime scene - another incident in which a gate was set alight - and a further fire at a Berrow Road barn.

This raises the possibility of a serial arsonist operating in the area.

Although Burnham sector deputy commander Inspector Roger Tolley said the latest incident had not been officially linked to the others, officers have not ruled out the possibility that the same person or gang could be responsible for them all.

"There have been a few fires in the town, but nothing we can connect as yet. I don't believe in coincidences," Sgt Tolley told the Weekly News yesterday (Tuesday).

"We are concerned about it and we are keeping an open mind over whether they could be linked.

"It's either a group of kids messing around or one person going round starting fires."

Police want to speak to anyone who thinks they may have seen anything suspicious at Gulliford Close at the time or may have witnessed the offenders breaking into the flat.

Anyone with information about any of these fires can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

A group of four people were arrested over the fire at Berrow Road but have subsequently been released on bail without charge, pending further investigations.