A 'DEVASTATING blaze' which consumed a thatch-roofed house in Wroughton and destroyed a family's possessions is being treated as arson by police.

Around 70 firefighters raced spent hours battling the fire on The Pitchens, off Marlborough Road, which spread along the roof of the property from 8pm on Friday. Efforts to extinguish the fire lasted into the night.

They had been called to the same house around the same time on Thursday and managed to put out the fire quickly that time, but the second fire caused significant damage to the house.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Det Sgt Justin Downes, from Swindon CID, said: "Luckily nobody was injured in the fire, but this was a devastating blaze which has resulted in the occupants losing all their possessions and they have had to move out of the house.

"We have been working with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service and we believe the fire was started deliberately and are treating it as arson.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have information about the fire. Were you in the area on either of the evenings and perhaps saw something suspicious, or someone running away from the scene?

"There is a public footpath which runs alongside the property and is well-used by locals so we hope someone has seen something which could assist with our investigation."

Anyone with information should to contact DS Downes at Gablecross Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.