An empty Farnborough building has been targeted by an arsonist for the second time in a week.

CMS Carpets’ abandoned shop in Queens Road in North Camp was targeted on Wednesday July 30 at 1.52pm, and then on Wednesday August 6, at 1.20pm.

The firm has branches in Winchester, Woking and Newbury, but the Farnborough site has been empty for more than a year.

Rushmoor Fire Station watch manager Gary Pesquero said they were alerted to the first fire at 1.52pm by a member of the public.

“The fire was in a refrigeration unit inside the building,” he said. “Because there was a lot of plastic and foam there was a lot of black smoke.

“Fortunately, the fire was contained within the unit, and only smoke damage was sustained.”

On the same day a week later, the brigade received another call from a member of the public.

“The second call came at nearly exactly the same time,” said Mr Pesquero. “This time the fire was in the building, and there was a large amount of smoke. Someone has made a hole in the wall and stuffed lit material through the gap.

“Because the building was boarded up we had to make a forced entry to put out the flames.

“It was fortunate we arrived when we did because the fire could have been a lot worse. As soon we put the fire out I called the police.”

Nobody was in the building at the time. However, if the fire had not have been noticed quickly it could have spread to neighbouring shops and a doctors’ surgery.

A nearby shop owner, who did not want to be named, said there had been trouble at the empty carpet shop for some time. She said the building had become an eyesore and squatters had moved in. A number of complaints had been lodged with Rushmoor Borough Council.

“It’s been empty for about two years now and it seems there have been problems ever since,” she said.

“The carpet shop is like a magnet for trouble these days. These fires are just the latest in a long line of things.

“Children are always throw-ing stones through the windows when they go past and it seems to take a long time before anything gets done to repair the damage.

“The shop is an eyesore and something needs to be done about it. They could renovate it or pull it down, but they need to do something. A change is long overdue.”

Cllr Crispin Allard, who represents St Mark’s Ward on Rushmoor, said: “It’s not a common problem in this area, but when shops are left empty for a long period, it’s a risk.”

Steve Optix, chairman of North Camp Matters, a local residents’ and traders’ association, said the owners  need to tighten up security.

He said: “This has happened a few times now. The shop has been empty for over a year.” 

CMS Carpets declined to comment.

Police believe the fires were started deliberately and are linking them. A spokesman said: “We would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward and help us to identify those responsible.”

Call the police on 0845 045 4545, or Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.