POLICE say they believe the second fire in two weeks on the old wool store at the historic Courtfield House in Trowbridge was deliberate.

Police were called to investigate a blaze at the wool store at the Grade 2 listed Georgian house in Polebarn Road on Wednesday evening.

Two fire crews from Trowbridge raced to the scene after the emergency services were alerted at 8.20pm, with two more crews from Warminster and Frome also mobilised.

The roof of the derelict building was damaged after timbers caught fire but firefighters managed to save the rest of the building.

A spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters from Trowbridge and Westbury were mobilised to a derelict building from which callers stated smoke and flames were seen.

“Crews in attendance confirmed multiple seats of fire within the building well alight. Firefighters extinguished the fire using six breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets.”

Wiltshire Police said: “We were called shortly before 9pm last night to Courtfield House on Polebarn Road, Trowbridge, where Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were dealing with a number of fires inside the property.

“It is believed the fire was started deliberately and our investigation is ongoing.

“We can confirm we were also called on Wednesday, June 16 at approximately 6.10pm to the same address by the fire service, with the owners of the property contacted.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call us on 101 and quote crime reference number 54210060528. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Local resident, Dr Stuart Farrimond, who lives in Polebarn Road, said vandals and arsonists have repeatedly targeted the historic property and that its developers, Ashford Homes of Bradford on Avon, must do more to protect it.

He said: “All the warning signs are there. Action needs to be taken and it needs to be done now, not when the company can be bothered.”

Dr Farrimond says locals have seen children in school clothing and young adults entering the grounds of the property. They say some vandals have gained entry to the building and have damaged interior fixtures and fittings.

Dr Farrimond said: “They are climbing over the wall and up the scaffolding. One of the residents saw a huge curtain pole that had been tossed into the orchard. They are just wrecking it.

“Someone is going to get injured in there because it is not safe. Things are going on in there and it will end up getting burned down if we are not careful.”

Developers Ashford Homes said they did not wish to make any comment.

Only last Thursday, Wiltshire Council’s conservation officer Russell Brown inspected the property after a fire last week. Residents were on hand during his visit to highlight recent damage.

After last week’s fire, Dr Farrimond emailed Tom Griffiths, development director of Ashford Homes, saying: “Courtfield House has been set alight following vandals accessing the property this evening.

“As repeatedly highlighted, the lack of security poses not only a threat to the lives of those intruders, but also that of local residents should such a fire be allowed to spread.

“I appeal to you to ensure the not insignificant resources and abilities of the Doric Group and Ashford Homes are appropriately directed towards protecting this much-loved heritage asset of Trowbridge.”

Ashford Homes purchased Courtfield House in April 2016 and submitted plans in 2018 to convert the main house to residential units with new build residential homes in the grounds.

The company plans to convert Courtfield House into 20 new homes and save 40 of the trees in its gardens and orchard.

Courtfield House is a clothier’s house built around 1754 with an earlier 17th century building to the rear.

The house was used as a preparatory school, which closed in April 2012, and then as a dance school.