Man arrested after blaze at home

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A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a blaze at a Redditch home.

Firefighters were called to the semi-detached house on Easemore Road about 12.35am on Tuesday (July 24) after a neighbour raised the alarm.

When fire crews from Redditch and Bromsgrove arrived they found a severe fire on the ground floor. As the fire threatened to spread, a woman from the property next door had to be evacuated.

The blaze was out by 3.40am and after an extensive search by firefighters using thermal imaging equipment, it was confirmed no-one was in the house which at the time was being renovated.

Station commander Bob Sproat, said: "There were sections of floorboard missing inside the property and this made conditions even more challenging. However, crews worked extremely hard and were able to prevent any major fire spread to the adjoining property."

He said major damage had been caused to the ground floor of the house as the ceiling had been destroyed and there was smoke damage in the loft space.

There was also some smoke damage and slight fire damage to the property next door. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

A man was arrested shortly after the incident and is currently being questioned at Redditch Police Station.

Det Insp Leighton Harding, of Redditch CID, said: "We are continuing to investigate this blaze together with the Fire Service and our initial findings suggest this was started deliberately.

"I would ask anyone who knows anything about this or was near there late last night and saw any activity around the property, suspicious or otherwise, to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information should contact Redditch CID on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 20-S-250712, and information can also be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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