LORD Montagu of Beaulieu has warned that an arsonist targeting properties in the area must be caught before someone is killed.

The 79-year-old peer spoke out following the latest blaze, which wrecked a £1m tide mill and almost spread to two adjoining houses.

All the previous fires have been confined to remote barns and isolated stretches of heathland.

However, the arsonist dramatically raised the stakes in the early hours of last Thursday, striking in the heart of Beaulieu for the first time.

Lord Montagu told the Daily Echo: "The latest fire was much more serious because it could have involved human life. I hope the culprit is caught before any further lives are endangered."

The peer is abroad and has yet to see the damage to the 16th century mill - a Grade II listed building - but described the blaze as "tragic".

Firefighters who tackled the blaze included part-time personnel from the village's own fire station, just 50 yards from the mill.

As reported in the Daily Echo, they helped stop the flames spreading to houses at either end of the building.

Lord Montagu paid tribute to the crew, all of whom work on the estate, and added: "Had it not been for their sterling work the fire could have been a great deal worse."

The peer's eldest son, the Hon Ralph Montagu, expressed similar views.

In a message to estate staff he said: "Had the fire not been brought under control, the blaze would soon have spread to the adjoining Mill House and we would have had an even greater disaster on our hands."

He added: "The mill is one of Beaulieu's oldest and most precious buildings.

"Restoration has been taking place on a step-by-step basis over the past ten years and the damage will set this back considerably.

"Simply putting the building back to its pre-fire condition will be a very complicated restoration and reconstruction project."

An estate spokesman said a major survey would be carried out over the next two weeks to establish the extent of the damage.

Do you know who the Forest arsonist is or have any information to help track him down? Call Hampshire police on 0845 045 4545.