A FIRE at the rear of a disused bathroom and kitchen showroom in Old Town is believed to have been started deliberately.

The fire started in rubbish which had been left at the rear of the three-storey property, next to the Wheatsheaf pub in Newport Street.

It spread to a lean-to before fire-fighters arrived at around 10.40pm on Friday.

The fire brigade initially received an anonymous call.

Fire-fighters assumed it was a false alarm when staff at the pub reported no problems.

They were about to leave when officers spotted smoke coming from a window of the showroom, which has been empty for several months.

Around 50 drinkers in the pub were evacuated as a precaution.

One appliance from Swindon and one from Stratton attended the incident.

Firefighter Simon Gunning, who was in charge of the operation, said: "There was slight damage to the roof of the lean-to and the property was filled with smoke."

Peter Dunfield, landlord of the Wheatsheaf, said: "I thought I could smell burning about 10 minutes before the fire-fighters arrived.

"I had a look at the back of the property, but couldn't see anything. I assumed it must have been a barbecue somewhere."

The Royal Oak pub next to the property was unaffected.