THE fire at a former care home was the work of an arsonist who could be behind three other blazes over the weekend, police have said.

Wiltshire Police’s criminal investigation department is now hunting for the culprit, or culprits, who torched the derelict Selena House Care Home in Oxford Road, and caused numerous other fires in the grounds of Swindon College and the former Madison Hotel.

A fire chief has warned police that the incidents, all thought to be deliberate, could be linked because of the geographical connection.

Around 30 firefighters spent more than five hours trying to extinguish the flames at the disused Stratton care home, which was shut down in 2012, just after 10pm on Friday. The extent of the inferno made it too dangerous for firefighters to even go inside.

There was then a blaze the following evening at the empty Madison Hotel, which is also in Oxford Road, not far from the care home.

Crews were called to the hotel, which closed two years ago, at 6.53pm on Saturday to reports a mattress was ablaze in one of the outbuildings.

“The fire was believed to be deliberate and the information was passed to the police,” a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesman said.

“Two crews attended, one from Swindon and one from Stratton – one main jet was used.”

Less than 24 hours later Swindon College was targeted twice by two small fires. Smoke was seen billowing from near the building and emergency services scrambled to the scene just after 5pm on Sunday.

“The caller could see smoke rising from what looked like the college building so we sent a large response – six fire engines and an aerial appliance attended,” a fire spokesman added.

“It turned out to be a small fire in a pile of building materials near to where construction was taking place. The fire was out on arrival. The cause was recorded as doubtful origin.”

Later that evening at 8.33pm three large bins at the college were then deliberately set alight, which police are investigating, but there is no CCTV so they are exploring other avenues to find out who is behind it.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “It is believed the fire may have been started deliberately.

“We are assisting Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service with the investigation into the cause of the fire and officers from the local Rodbourne neighbourhood policing team will be carrying out enquiries.

“A fire chief has warned it may be linked to other fires in Oxford Road.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact 101. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.”