Dorchester church targeted in suspected arson attack
Fire crews and police investigating blaze on church grounds
Last updated 16 hours ago
St George's Church in High Street, Fordington, Dorset, has been the site of a suspected arson attack early this morning.
Dorchester firefighters responded to a call at 6:03 regarding a small fire in the church's grounds.
A spokesperson for Dorchester Fire Station detailed the incident: "At 6.03am this morning an on call crew from Dorchester was mobilised to a small fire in the open on the grounds of church.
On arrival crews met with the caller and located the fire on the grounds of St George’s church. The crew got to work with one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire."
The fire crew ensured the area was thoroughly dampened down and information was passed on to police due to suspicions of a deliberate start.
The incident was further confirmed by a spokesperson for Dorset Police, who stated: "A small fire in the cemetery at St Georges Church in High Street, Fordington was reported by the fire service at 6.25am on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."
In a statement a spokesperson from Dorchester Police said this:
"A small fire in the cemetery at St Georges Church in High Street, Fordington was reported by the fire service at 6.25am on Wednesday 1 April 2026. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."