TWO 12 year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a barn near Salisbury was destroyed in a fire.

Wiltshire Police said a “substantial quality of farm machinery” was also destroyed in the fire which took place at High Post Farm near Salisbury at around 5pm last Saturday (May 17).

Luckily, there were no reports of injuries.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have recorded dashcam footage or who may have footage of the fire itself or who was in the area at the time.

A spokesperson said: “We would particularly like to hear from the driver of a ‘dark’ coloured Mini who stopped nearby and reportedly spoke to the two boys.

“If you can help, please call us on 101, quoting log 54250059960.

“You can also leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We were called to a barn fire, off the A345, which also affected farm machinery and vehicles, so we mobilised multiple appliances together with Hampshire crews from Fordingbridge, Basingstoke, Totton, Winchester and Andover.

“We scaled back to a one pump watching brief at 9pm to allow the fire to burn out under control.

“We left the scene on Sunday morning but the incident has been left open as some hotspots remain, and revisits are continuing. Wiltshire Police have made two arrests in relation to this fire.”

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