TAVISTOCK police have launched an investigation into suspected arson attacks on Crowndale tip, the recycling centre at Pixon Lane car park and a skip outside a carpet centre.

The town's fire crew spent an exhausting seven hours fighting the three blazes which began in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The fire service received the first call at 3.30am when a member of the public reported smoke coming from the Carpet Centre on the Plymouth Road Industrial Estate.

Two engines were dispatched to the scene.

Fire chief Chris Neale said: 'The fire was in a skip slap outside the carpet centre and the heat was so severe it damaged the building itself.

'We had to force an entry to make sure there was no damage inside which fortunately there wasn't.'

Police estimated the fire caused £1,500 worth of damage.

Returning to the fire station, the crew spotted a fire at the recycling centre in Pixon Lane. The Salvation Army clothing bank, which was full, was completely destroyed but firemen managed to contain the blaze in the paper bank which saved the container but destroyed the contents.

'The trouble is once the paper and magazines are wet they are total loss and worth nothing,' said Mr Neale.

Firemen spent an hour dampening down the fires and were about to return to the fire station when a plume of smoke was seen rising above Crowndale tip.

The fire chief said: 'A police officer, who was in attendance, was sent down to see what was going on and reported the rubbish was well alight from end to end.'

The two crews spent almost five hours fighting the blaze and had to ferry water from a hydrant in Ford Street about half a mile away.

The recycling centre re-opened for business as usual on Sunday morning but the contractors had to cordon off the blackened heap of rubbish from the public.

'It was an exhausting morning for everyone; we didn't get away until 10am,' said Mr Neale.

Tavistock police are appealing for information and witnesses and PC Pat Webber said she would be looking through CCTV footage 'to see if anyone was hanging about at that time'.

Community constable Dave Grimbly said: 'If we find out who is responsible we will use the full weight of the recently changed Crime and Disorder Bill to prosecute them — whatever age they may be.

'Chris Neale and his men hold down full-time jobs and this puts an unreasonable strain on their personal and business lives which could result in a genuine accidental fire having to wait for fire services from Plymouth to attend.'

Anyone with any information can contact Pc Pat Webber through the central switchboard number 0990 777000 and ask for Tavistock Police Station or the Crimestoppers free call number 0800 555111.