Ref. 27191-3A SUPERMARKET manager has blamed bored schoolchildren for an arson attack at a Melksham supermarket.

Shoppers and staff were evacuated from Somerfield when a fire broke out in a toilet around 3.30pm on Monday.

Up to 100 people were forced to wait outside the Bath Road store for an hour and a half while emergency crews were scrambled to the scene.

Store manager Chris Marlow said he believed pupils off school during the holidays with nothing to do could be to blame for the blaze which started when a toilet roll was set on fire in the women's toilets.

He said: "I'm concerned about the inconvenience to my customers."

Duty manager Matt Williams said he couldn't understand who would want to start a fire in the store.

"We know the fire started when some toilet rolls were set alight in the ladies' toilets," he said.

"It was quite minimal and it was soon under control.

"Everyone was removed from the store and there was only a bit of smoke damage to the toilet area.

"As far as I know nothing like this has happened before.

"Thankfully, it didn't cause much inconvenience."

The toilets have been closed for cleaning but should reopen by the end of the week.

Acting Inspector Sarah Bodell said police are treating the fire as suspicious.