POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed the roof of a stone farm workshop in Steeple Ashton.

Firefighters and four engines from Trowbridge and Melksham were called to Close Farm in the early hours of Saturday, 1 December, and quickly extinguished the flames.

However, highly explosive gas cylinders were discovered in the building, which had to be cooled for 24 hours.

Neil Hiscock, the temporary sub officer at Trowbridge fire station, said: "There were two cylinders of propane, one oxygen cylinder, one cylinder of acetylene and three unknown cylinders.

"It was very scary if the acetylene had gone off it would have been like a small bomb."

As a precaution a 200-metre safety cordon was set up and residents in a nearby house were advised to stay indoors.

Flames also burnt out a Volvo car and Transit van, which were parked inside the farm workshop. But 50 chickens were saved from an adjoining building.

Investigating officer, Alan Harper, said: "We are of the opinion that the fire was started deliberately. There is evidence that the workshop was broken into and there was some sort of malicious ignition.

"There was also evidence of an attempt to ignite some boxes that were in the back of a DAF van, which was parked outside."

Police are investigating the cause of the blaze.