Suspected arson destroys seafront beach huts earmarked for demolition after anti-social behaviour blighted area
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Several beach huts on the Dorset coast have been destroyed in a fire that locals suspect was started deliberately.
The shacks at Bournemouth seafront had fallen into a state of disrepair and were due to be removed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
However, the huts had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour prior to their planned removal - and in the early hours of Tuesday went up in flames.
Crews were called out at 1.20am and spent 90 minutes tackling the blaze, which woke nearby residents and also damaged natural landscaping to the rear.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the blaze by local fire and police services. Residents are already branding the attack a case of arson.
Mark King, who owns Q Sports Bar and lives in a cliff top flat above the scene, said: 'I woke up because I could smell fire. I stuck me head out of the window and saw embers in the sky.
'I went outside and looked over the cliff and saw the fire so called 999.
'It looked like the fire started in one hut and because of the wind it swept westwards from hut to hut.'
Dramatic footage shared online showed the huts well alight as firefighters tackle the flames, attacking the base of the blaze with two hoses.
Britain's oldest public beach hut, which has been recognised with a blue plaque, was also badly damaged but is still standing.
It was built in 1909 by borough engineer F P Dolamore and is known by the designation Beach Hut 2359.
BCP Council said only one of the huts was being rented by a customer and it was working with them to find an alternative solution.
Its head of seafront, Anthony Rogers, said in remarks reported by the BBC that the fire had 'sadly resulted in a loss of seven huts, with two further adjacent huts and a small area of the cliff sustaining some damage'.
'Beach Hut 2359, the site of the first municipal beach hut, was one of these adjacent huts,' he said.
Residents say the huts have attracted trouble since they fell into disuse. Youths huff nitrous oxide balloons in the doorways, while the rear of the sheds has become a public lavatory.
Illegal campers thought to be homeless were also accused of ripping wood from the huts to use on their campfires.
One local told the BNPS news agency: 'We are just approaching the busy summer period and the terrible sight of burnt out beach huts in a prime area next to the beach is going to be one of the first things thousands of tourists will see.
'These huts have become rundown over the past couple of years and have just attracted anti-social behaviour. What did people expect to happen?'
Ann Gerrard, the chairperson of the Bournemouth Beach Hut Association, said: 'It is just terrible and appalling.
'I imagine it was arson. The huts are empty so it doesn't leave much to the imagination.'
In March four youths were photographed starting a small fire on a nearby cliff top and last month a large wildfire further along the same cliff broke out.
Dorset Police said it was working with the fire service on a joint probe into the blaze.
A statement issued on Tuesday afternoon read: 'On Tuesday 27th May 2025 at approximately 1.30am, a fire occurred east of Bournemouth Pier, close to Harry Ramsdens Restaurant. Beach huts were reported on fire.
'The circumstances surrounding how the fire started remains unclear. Bournemouth Police are working with the DWFRS Fire Investigations Team to progress enquiries. Seven beach huts have been damaged and no person were injured.
'If you have information regarding this incident that you believe of assistance to this investigation, please contact Dorset Police online via our website, quoting 55250075385.'
A spokesperson for the fire service said: 'We were called to East Beach, Undercliff Drive, Bournemouth, at 1.20am this morning for a fire involving multiple beach huts.
'Crews attended from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park, together with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne. They found nine huts well alight, as well as an area of cliff approx 25m x 15m.
'Two main jets and four hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire, and the stop was at 2.50am.
'The scene was handed over to BCP Council, and investigations will continue today into what caused the fire.'
The council has previously defended removing the huts - of which there are 29 in total - in order to bolster the pier on which they sit.
Rich Herrett, a council cabinet member, said in remarks reported by the Guardian in January: 'As part of these essential works, 29 beach huts may need to be removed to build a compound for site storage and staff welfare. It is unlikely they will be rebuilt.'
