A BLAZE that swept through an Alcester warehouse causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage to the roof and machinery may have been started deliberately.

Fire-fighters from five different stations tackled the fire at Smith Bros and Webb, in Tything Road, at about 8pm on Monday - around the time of a break-in at the premises.

Station Officer Andy Thompson said a large area of the building was ablaze but the fire seemed to have started among some car-wash brushes.

He said flammable equipment and the open design of the warehouse meant there was already extensive damage when fire-fighters arrived and the blaze was not under control until about 9.30pm.

"A large area of the roof has been burned through and part of the wall at the side of the building," he said.

"A lot of machinery looks as if it's been damaged and the cost of repairing and cleaning up will amount to thousands of pounds."

Anyone with information can call Alcester Police on 762207.