A POSSIBLE arson attack is being investigated at an abattoir at the centre of a recent foot-and-mouth scare.

About 200 bales of straw were destroyed in a blaze at the Stockton Butchers Slaughterhouse Company site, on the edge of the Teesside town.

The blaze took about 90 minutes to put out.

Station Officer Ian Dunning said: "We are treating it as suspicious at the moment."

Because of the Easter holidays, nearby animal pens were empty.

Because of foot-and-mouth concerns, firefighters had to be disinfected after they had put out the blaze.

An environmental protection unit was called in and crews had to have their boots and equipment sprayed. The wheels of the fire engine also had to be disinfected before the firefighters were allowed to leave the site.

The abattoir was given the all-clear last month, following fears that foot-and-mouth might be present.

l Cleveland Police said a man was being questioned about the weekend blaze.