Police in Limburg are looking into four suspicious fires in marinas in the last six weeks to try to establish if there is a connection between them.

Between 10 and 20 boats were destroyed in the latest blaze, at a marina in Wessem on Wednesday night. It appears to have been deliberately started in three separate places – in the marina offices and on two separate jetties. Several luxury pleasure cruisers were destroyed.

Police want to find out if there is a link between the latest fire and others in Roermond on December 16, Herten on December 6 and a suspected arson attack on three houses on the marina in Ohé en Laak on December 10.

Meanwhile, on the Belgian side of the Maas river, marina owners have stepped up security and introduced extra patrols at night, news agency ANP says.