Three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a large blaze at a former holiday park in South Devon that could be seen as far away as Exmouth.
The fire at Brixham's deserted Pontins holiday camp was started deliberately, it was confirmed on Thursday evening.
Fire watch manager Martin Timblin said the fire which destroyed 100 per cent of the arcade complex was being treated as arson.
The fire also destroyed the facade of the swimming pool and spread to the main complex.
At 10pm Fire brigade HQ at Exeter said: "Crews are still at work tackling the fire, with steady progress being made. Crews are now using compressed air foam and will be shortly scaling down the number of appliances at the incident.
"The cause of this fire is believed to be arson, and is under investigation by Police and Fire. Crews have scaled down for the evening and will be carrying out a revisit at 0900hrs on 6th June."
The massive firefighting exercise swung into action as fire spread through the deserted complex at just after 4.30pm. At 6pm, as 40 fire crew fought the blaze, it was reported that the fire, which had started in the arcade, was spreading to the main holiday complex and the swimming pool.
Fire brigade control was inundated with 68 calls from the public who could see the huge plume of black smoke from as far away as Exmouth.
Martin Loram, a football club committee member, said: "I was working in Century Road and a young lad ran in and said I'd better get up to the clubhouse, there was a fire. I shot up here on the lad's bike and saw it wasn't the football club on fire. Smoke was just starting to come off the building at about 4.35pm. We could hear gas bottles or something inside going bang."
A man who used to work at the holiday park said: "The building that's gone was the arcade, but it's spread to the main complex and the swimming pool. There's no electricity or water on the site. All the buildings were empty."
Six fire engines were initially sent to the scene, including the water bowser from Torquay, a command unit from Totnes was also sent.
There were reports of exploding gas cylinders.
Crews from Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and Totnes, along with a water bowser were sent
"There are no reports as yet of people inside," a fire spokesman confimed.
Brixham Sgt Steve Cayless said police were supporting the fire service. Residents were being advised to keep all their windows shut and to go inside as the smoke was toxic.
At the scene, crowds of onlookers were gathering, running up to the holiday camp with cameras.
Brixham was reported to be 'in chaos' as roads around the holiday camp were closed.
