FIRES that destroyed two caravans at a travellers' site in Paignton yesterday are being treated as suspicious.

Two fire engines were called to the blazes at the old Nortel industrial estate on Brixham Road.

Police were also called to the scene, where fire crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels and a thermal imaging camera while tackling the fires.

The firefighters battled the flames from 3pm until 4pm, but the caravans were totally destroyed.

Watch commander Nick Bankes-Fay said: "The blaze involved two caravans, both were destroyed. They were about 60 metres apart, so it's not as if one set light to the other.

"They were well alight when we arrived. It was relatively easy to put out, and there were no gas canisters, which is a relief when dealing with caravan fires. There was nobody at the site to assist us."

The caravans were among five based at the site, which was cordoned off while fire investigation officers and CID were examining the caravans last night.

A police spokesman said: "At this stage it seems that no one was in the caravans, so it's damage only.

"It seems to be fairly extensive damage. They are caravans that people were living in.

"The incident was reported by a passing officer, and CID and fire investigators there were trying to establish exactly what happened."