Fire ripped through a terraced flat in a Telford housing estate today, with flames leaping out through the windows, after a suspected arson attack. 

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment used water jets to tackle the flames but were unable to prevent the flat – which was empty at the time – from being completely burnt out.

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The alarm was raised by shortly after 7am to a terraced first-floor flat in Charnborough Court, Kensington Way, Oakengates.

Eighteen firefighters from Wellington, Tweedale and Telford Central attended as well as the incident commander from Shrewsbury. An aerial platform ladder was also sent out but was not needed.

Sub-officer Chris White, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When we arrived, flames and smoke were visible from all three windows and our initial concern was someone might be inside.

“A door was already open at the rear of the building and we established the building was unoccupied.

“It took about half an hour before the fire was under control, but the interior of the flat and the roof space suffered severe damage from flames and smoke.”

Mr White said a thermal imaging camera had been used to ensure the fire had not spread into the roof space of neighbouring flats.

“We are treating it as a fire of doubtful origin,” he said. “Police and fire investigation officers will be examining the property once it has been made safe.”

Neighbours said the flat had been occupied by a couple who had moved out four weeks ago.

“The heat was so intense the glass in the windows melted,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Flames were coming out of the windows and smoke was coming through the roof.”