AN ARSON attack on a Hollywood film-maker's canal boat moored just yards from a police station left the barge a smouldering wreck.

The Turnstone was moored on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Semington when the arsonist struck in the early hours of Friday morning.

The blaze leaves camera technician John Arnell, 42, with only a bag of clothes to call his own as belongings worth £50,000 went up in flames.

Luckily Mr Arnell was busy filming Colin Farrell's new blockbuster Alexander The Great in Morocco when the attack happened. He raced home on Saturday to find the devastation, and has criticised the police for not acting quickly enough after the attack, even though the boat was only half a mile from Police Divisional Headquarters in Melksham.

He said: "I cannot believe an arson attack that has destroyed someone's home and whole life is not being treated seriously enough, I have had no response from the police.

"This barge has been my home for 10 years. I lost £50,000 and am left with just one bag of clothes and I am completely devastated.

"I am staying with friends but you could say this attack has made me homeless. It was definitely deliberate, let's put it this way my home didn't just spontaneously combust."

When the barge went up in flames Mr Arnell was finishing his film job in Morocco.

Police believe the attack happened in the early hours of Friday and are appealing for any dog walkers or fishermen who may have witnessed the fire to come forward. Acting Inspector Sarah Bodell, at Melksham, confirmed officers are investigating the incident and are treating the blaze as arson.

She said: "Although the victim fears his complaint is not being taken seriously enough we have been carrying out detailed inquiries and an officer was on site for four hours the day after the fire.

"CID is currently working closely with the assigned local officer and we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward."

Mr Arnell called the barge home for over 10 years, travelling regularly between Devizes and Bath.

The blaze happened while the boat was moored in Semington between the swingbridge and new aqueduct. On Tuesday the wreck was towed away to be cut up and sold for scrap.

He said: "To make matters worse the details for the insurance renewal arrived when I was away and I never got a chance to fill them out."

Mr Arnell had been working in Morocco since the first week of September, providing technical expertise for camera work.

Anyone with information on the arson attack should call Melksham police on (01225) 703444.