POLICE are seeking help from the public to identify a man who was seen acting suspiciously at the scene of a fire in Callington on Wednesday, May 6.

The fire at Launceston Road was spotted at around 3.40am by police officers on routine patrol. The two storey domestic building under construction — opposite the secondary school — was well ablaze.

Twenty four people were evacuated from nearby terraced houses and taken to the nearby Ginsters factory.

Appliances from Callington, Saltash and Liskeard attended the scene, along with the operational support vehicle from St Austell. Approximately 40 fire brigade personnel were in attendance.

Three jets and a hosereel were used to extinguish the blaze. The fire was still ongoing at 7.30am but was reduced with crews damping down. The road was closed and diversions were put in place.

An adjacent property suffered superficial ­damage.

The blaze is believed to be suspicious and police are keen to speak to a man who was spotted by cleaners at the school acting suspiciously in the area at 3am, in order to eliminate him from their enquiries.

He was wearing a beige top which was possibly a hoodie.

Anyone who may have information regarding this fire is asked to contact the police on 08452 777444 quoting log number 94 060509.