INTERNATIONAL chefs have come together to support a community garden in Basingstoke after it was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

As previously reported, firefighters were called on Thursday, June 13 at approximately 6pm after reports that a shed in Pack Lane had been damaged by a fire.

The fire, which is being treated as arson according to Hampshire Constabulary, also damaged a tree house as well as parts of the garden and a tree, which belong to the organisation Inspero.

READ MORE: Community garden destroyed in 'mindless' suspected arson attack

Firefighters tackling the blaze (Image: Inspero)

Inspero was founded in 2012 by Catherine Waters-Clark, with the community garden opening in July 2014.

The garden was used to grow food for the charity's foodbank, as well as run educational work placements for children with special needs in addition to well-being programmes.

The fundraising organisation, Chefs Sans Frontieres International (CSF-int), was set up to assist artisan food producers who lose their livelihoods due to natural disasters.

The organisation is made up of leading international chefs, bakers, chocolatiers and pastry chefs across 60 countries worldwide, aiming to provide food education and awareness for the next generation.

The president of CSF-int, Alan Coxon, says he was alerted to the Inspero fire by the organisation's advisory board project liaison manager, Andy Burdon.

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Alan added: "It is bad enough that the world is facing incredible natural disasters, as temperatures rise to over 50 degrees in several countries, woodland fires devastate landscapes and livelihoods, whilst other territories suffer dramatic flash floods, earthquakes and volcano eruptions to name but a few.

"Each time we see the loss of lives, livelihoods and artisans unable to put food on the family table or that of their communities.

"Such arson attacks and blatant disregard for other people are unacceptable and I hope that we can assist in some small way to rebuild what stupidity has purposely aimed to destroy.

"Educational and supportive activities developed and founded by Catherine Waters-Clark of Inspero are vital to serving a communities wellbeing and its future, so I hope we will see it back up and running to its full glory very soon."