Arson arrest after flats evacuated in early hours

The fire in the courtyard on Beveridge Close, Meir, quickly spread to nearby properties (generic image of the scene)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire that forced the evacuation of a block of flats in the early hours.

Flames appeared in the courtyard of the block on Beveridge Close in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, at about 03:45 BST, before spreading to nearby homes.

No-one was injured in the fire, but Staffordshire Police said it took firefighters about three hours to extinguish.

A 52-year-old man, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Officers want to speak to anyone who saw what happened, or have CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at the time.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it was offering support to a small number of residents who have had to temporarily move out of their homes and was trying to ensure they could return as soon as possible.

If that was not the case, they will be offered alternative, temporary accommodation, the council stated.