Two people have been taken to hospital after an 'arson attack' in Weymouth.

As previously reported, around 20 firefighters were called to deal with a blaze at a derelict building in Dorchester Road early on Sunday.

The cause was under investigation - and now police have confirmed today it was an arson attack. 

It's also emerged two people from a neighbouring property - a man and a girl - were both taken to hospital.

Police said the incident had caused a "great deal of distress for the innocent victims".

The fire was reported on Dorchester Road  (Image: Tom Lawrence) Dorset Police said they received a report around 6.20am yesterday, (Sunday, September 1) from the ambulance service of two people requiring medical attention after a derelict property had been set on fire in Dorchester Road, opposite the Rembrandt hotel.

Two occupants of a neighbouring property – a man aged in his 40s and a girl – were both taken to hospital for treatment to smoke-inhalation injuries.

It is believed that the fire was started at around 5am.

Residents have said the property has been out of use for some time and there is a planning application in the works to turn it into flats.

Emergency services were present on Dorchester Road (Image: Katie Heyes) Pictures from the scene show the area cordoned off with police tape and a pile of debris outside.

Local resident Brian Willett said: "I got up at 7am and there was already activity there. Part of the road was closed off.

"The building has been semi-derelict for years. A couple of weeks ago somebody started clearing rubbish out - we assume someone with the authority to do so.

"A sign is up there with a planning application to turn it into flats.

"If there was a fire there no-one would be surprised as it has been neglected for some years."

Another resident, Brian Jacobs, said: "I opened the curtains this morning and saw the fire brigade outside. I saw four fire engines and they had closed the road."

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, as police believe the fire was started deliberately. 

Police Constable Sam Welch, of Weymouth police, said: “This has caused a great deal of distress for the innocent victims of this fire.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Melcombe Regis area of the town at the time of the incident to please get in touch.

“I would also ask local residents and motorists driving at the time to please review their home CCTV cameras and dashcams to see if they have captured anything of relevance to our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240134829. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.​