Emergency services were called to a blaze at the allotments on Hamilton Lane in Exmouth at 6.45am on Sunday, 3 May.

The fire is being treated as arson, with evidence also suggesting a planned robbery of property stored in sheds there.

Dawn Witkiss, who rents one of the allotments that was destroyed in the fire, spoke to Nub News.

She told us: "I cannot put it into words. We are absolutely devastated.

"We've just got back from spending all day there trying to sort things out.

"We've lost everything we owned there, much of it of sentimental value that can never be replaced.

"It has become our sanctuary, having lost work due to the coronavirus; we spend most of our time there.

"Not only that, but it was also a place I would take the Exmouth Beaver Group that I'm leader of.

"It was an opportunity for the youngsters to learn about where their food comes from. The kids loved planting stuff and watching it grow.

"I just want to sit down whoever did it and ask them why."

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the allotments on Hamilton Lane, Exmouth yesterday (3 May).

"The fire started in a shed sometime between 4am and 7am.

"Police are treating the fire as arson and appealing to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious to contact them via [email protected] or by phone on 101, quoting crime reference CR/035534/20.

"Additionally another shed on the allotment was broken into during the same time period and tools were stolen.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or email [email protected], quoting crime reference CR/035365/20."