Police treat fire at Cambridgeshire village site earmarked for asylum seekers as arson after council warned of tension

The Home Office wants to put 26 beds for asylum-seeking women and babies at Roman Court in Leverington. Fenland District Council lodged a full objection this month, calling the plot 'not suitable'. Fire tore through the empty single-storey building at 7.26pm on Wednesday, leaving it 'severely damaged'. Nobody was hurt, and Cambridgeshire Police are investigating alongside the fire service.

Council leader Chris Boden fears ministers could end up housing adult men there instead.

The Conservative-run council said it was 'appalled' and called for peaceful, lawful objections.

The council is urging anyone with information about the blaze to contact police.