Probe finds fire was suspicious

A blaze which ripped through a block of flats in north Shropshire forcing residents to flee the building, is being treated as suspicious, fire chiefs have revealed today.

Three people had to flee their homes when the blaze broke out in a flat in Red Bank Road, Market Drayton, on May 19.

Dave Bishton, fire investigation officer, confirmed investigations were continuing into the fire, nearly three weeks after it broke out.

He said: "We are treating it as suspicious. We are awaiting further results of samples taken from the scene."

Two residents were woken by the sound of glass smashing while another was alerted by a smoke alarm going off shortly after 3am.

Another resident returned home from a walk to find her flat ablaze.

The damaged properties were owned by the Meres and Mosses Housing Association. More than 25 firefighters from Shropshire and Cheshire fought to bring the fire under control.

Roger Smith, crew manager at Market Drayton fire station, said the fire started in a ground floor flat and spread to the flat above and a neighbouring property.

Mr Smith said a man was in the upstairs flat and was woken by a smoke alarm.