Fire at block of flats was arson, police believe

The fire is believed to have started in an alleyway

A fire at a block of flats in Stoke-on-Trent is being treated as arson.

Staffordshire Police said they were called to reports of a fire at a two-storey building on Brookwood Drive in Meir at 04:00 BST on Wednesday.

They said witnesses described two people walking away from the flats, heading towards Lansbury Grove, at the time the fire started.

One is described as wearing a white or grey jacket and the other wore dark clothing, police said.

They added that both had their hoods up.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said a small number of residents affected by the fire would be unable to return to their homes for "many months".

The authority said it was working to rehome the families in temporary accommodation.

Residents from homes in the building which were not as badly affected were allowed back on Wednesday afternoon after power was restored.

More than 30 firefighters were called to the blaze in the two-storey flats, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said two people were rescued from the building.

The service added that all residents had been accounted for.