ARSONISTS are suspected of being behind a blaze that engulfed a former shooting range.More than 20 firefighters were called to the derelict shooting gallery, off Straight Road, Bucklesham, near Ipswich, yesterdayas flames tore through the building.

ARSONISTS are suspected of being behind a blaze that engulfed a former shooting range.

More than 20 firefighters were called to the derelict shooting gallery, off Straight Road, Bucklesham, near Ipswich, yesterdayas flames tore through the building.

The 30metre by 20metre premises were believed to have contained cylinders and old ammunition, which hampered efforts to control the blaze.

Five fire engines from Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Framlingham and Sudbury were called to the scene shortly after 3pm yesterday.

Assistant divisional officer Martyn Thorpe said: “It was fully involved in fire on our arrival. Local information referred to cylinders and old ammunition being in the building and we attempted to protect surrounding risks.

“We believe no-one was inside at the time. It's an unoccupied building. My initial thoughts are that it is of a suspicious nature.”

Mr Thorpe said firefighters had to wait until the flames were out and the dampening down process had begun before they could check for any possible causes.

Fire officers were expected to remain at the site, which is surrounded by fields, for several hours.

The fire was put out by 4.35pm.