Shropshire Star

Ludlow house fire being treated as arson by police

A house fire which broke out on a quiet surbuban street in a town in Shropshire is being treated as arson, according to police.

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A man has been arrested after the blaze, which caused significant damage to the house in Vashon Close in Ludlow, and is being held for questioning.

Officers are continuing to investigate circumstances surrounding the fire at the house, which is said locally to belong to rally driver Andrew Sankey of Ludlow Castle Motor Club.

Neighbours reported seeing smoke billowing from the house, which was left in a gutted state. All the windows were blackened and the downstairs lounge window smashed following the fire, which broke out shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.

Initial reports suggested there may be people trapped inside, but a spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue said that no one was hurt and all the occupants of the house were accounted for on arrival.

The firefighters, from Ludlow, Craven Arms and Cleobury Mortimer found the large, two-storey detached house "well ablaze".

The fire was brought under control by 7.20pm using two hose reel jets and breathing apparatus.

Neighbour Roy Johnson, 80, said he had seen the events unfold after the firefighters arrived.

He said: "All I saw was smoke coming out, but I didn't see any flames.

"It was billowing out of the back, and it seemed to be coming out between the roof tiles.

"It caused quite a disturbance on the street - it isn't something you expect to see around somewhere like this.

"They screened it off and the police were there all night."

Sarah-Jane Lynch, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said the fire was being treated as suspicious and an arrest had been made.

She said: "I can confirm we were called a house fire at 6.15pm on Tuesday, the fire was of doubtful origin.

"A 50-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and he is currently in custody being questioned.

"We're appealing for any witnesses to the incident to call police on 101 quoting incident 531 of September 30," she added.

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