FIRE crews were called to deal with a blaze at Tollgate Stables in Walton, near Felixstowe, last night.

POLICE are today hunting suspected arsonists who set light to a stable block sparking a major emergency operation.

More than 20 firefighters fought to control flames which quickly engulfed the 15m by 30m, three-storey building in High Street, Walton.

Luckily the three horses usually kept in the stables were out in the field at the time.

The fire started shortly before midnight on Saturday at Tollgate Stables in the village.

Four fire engines from Ipswich and Felixstowe carrying 21 officers were sent to deal with the incident.

Assistant divisional officer from the fire service Andy Nunn said: “We thought we were going to lose the whole barn and that it would spread to neighbouring stables.

“We managed to knock the fire down quite quickly and got it under control.

“All the animals were in the fields. The horses were out that night which was lucky because all three stables were pretty much destroyed.

“We saved most of the barn and there is not too much fire damage there.

“We investigated and we decided it was suspicious, probably arson.”

Mr Nunn said the culprits had probably realised there were no animals inside the stables at the time.

He said: “If the horses had been there it could have been much more serious.”

Police were alerted to the fire by the fire service and attended the scene in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The blaze was eventually put out shortly before 1am.

Any with information on the incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500.