POLICE are warning they will not have the resources for dedicated patrols at Newport's old art college - a regular target of arsonists - during next week's fire strike.

Yesterday, the Argus revealed that three fires had broken out at the empty building during the last five weeks.

Residents near the historic building in Clarence Place fear it may collapse if a blaze breaks out during the fire strike next Tuesday.

The whole of Wales will only be covered by 40 Green Goddesses, which will not have specialist equipment to deal with such a blaze.

A hydraulic platform was used on Monday night to tackle the fire on the third floor of the building, a piece of equipment even more vital if the roof catches fire.

One resident, Doreen Vincent, said: "There are only so many fires that one building can take. It could collapse. What are we going to do during the fire strike?"

And people living in nearby St Vincent Road are calling on the owner, property developer Thila Garaj, to take action to prevent the building collapsing.

Newport city council has pledged that community wardens will be appointed as fire watchers during the planned strikes, and that a special watch will be maintained at the old art college.

The council recently served a notice on the building's owner and developers requiring them to evict squatters and put up a wall around the site to prevent people getting in, which it says was done to its satisfaction.

Police, however, believe their resources will be too stretched during the strike to help keep an eye on the building.

Chief Inspector Carl Close said: "The security and safety of the building is clearly the responsibility of the owner.

"I fully understand the concerns of the local residents and the business community but I anticipate that police resources will be stretched to the limit during the dispute.

"Therefore there are no specific plans for dedicated patrols and checks on the building. "Obviously local officers are fully aware of the recent problems at the sight and will of course be vigilant."

The cause of Monday's blaze is still being investigated but the blaze broke out inches away from a makeshift bed and youngsters were seen running away from the building.