Arson suspect arrested after large building fire

Firefighters rescued three people from Tuesday's blaze, which generated smoke that could be seen from some distance away.

A man has been arrested following a large fire at a building in Stoke-on-Trent from which three people were rescued.

Staffordshire Police said emergency services were called to business premises on Waterloo Road, Burslem, shortly after 12:30 GMT on Tuesday.

The 58-year-old suspect from Stoke-on-Trent, detained on suspicion of arson and cultivating a cannabis plant, has been released under investigation.

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

Police said they discovered the remains of cannabis growing equipment during a search of the site but no plants were found.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said an aerial ladder platform was used to save three people after a staircase became blocked due to smoke.

They received oxygen treatment at the scene and were taken to hospital, along with two others, as a precaution.