Police believe clay extraction site fire near Wareham may be suspicious

Emergency services were called to an incident off Bere Road early this morning

A working clay pit
Author: Jonny FreemanPublished 2nd Aug 2026

Dorset Police are investigating a fire that damaged several plant machinery vehicles at the Imerys clay extraction site near Wareham.

The fire service reported the incident at 5.14am this morning (Sunday 2nd August 2026), off Bere Road, with initial enquiries suggesting the fire may have been deliberately started.

Detective Inspector Rich Barnett from Dorset Police is urging witnesses or anyone with information to assist with the investigation.

He's also asking motorists who were in the area between 3am and 5.15am this morning to check their dashcam footage for anything that might contribute to resolving the case.

Information can be reported to Dorset Police either online or by calling 101, using the reference number 55260118624.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online or via Freephone at 0800 555 111.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.