ARSONISTS torched a new £38,000 lorry on Portland.

Police said vandals broke into a compound at Easton on Portland and started a fire in the cab of the vehicle.

The heat from the fire was so intense it melted the wheel of a dumper truck parked nearby.

Civil engineering company Walton Ltd said the fire has written off the 7.5 tonne Iveco tipper lorry purchased just three weeks ago.

Police scenes of crime officers have been sifting through the wreckage in a bid to look for clues to how the fire started.

The island’s retained firefighters battled the blaze in Park Road off Easton Square for almost an hour after being alerted late on Thursday night.

The Shepton Mallet-based firm Walton is carrying out resurfacing work at Easton connected with Wessex Water’s construction of a new sewer – a major project that has closed roads in the area.

The £2million project, which involves laying approximately 1.2km of sewer and building a new sewage pumping station, will provide flood alleviation to properties in Easton Square.

Construction work started in February and the scheme is scheduled to finish at the end of the year.

Walton’s contract manager Paul Binding said: “We were shocked to say the least when we arrived for work and discovered the damage.

“The lorry is not normally kept there overnight but one of our employees had a family incident and he had to go home early, which meant the lorry stayed in the compound.

“We can bring in another vehicle to replace it but the fire disrupted the day’s schedule and meant that the lads couldn’t work for the day.”

Mr Binding added: “I’ve no idea who would want to do this.

“The lorry was insured but this doesn’t help with our insurance premiums.

“It has disrupted work but we’ll bring in another lorry next week.”

He said the dumper truck which was also damaged will just need a new wheel.

PC Jim Brian of Weymouth and Portland police is treating the fire as arson.

He is appealing for people to come forward who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area of the compound about 10.30pm on Thursday.

Witnesses and anyone with information can contact PC Brian in confidence on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers.