Man arrested over Leeds Grove Inn arson attack

The fire happened at The Grove Inn, Holbeck, on Tuesday night, police said

A man has been arrested after a pub in Leeds was damaged in an arson attack.

Officers had been called to The Grove Inn in Holbeck at about 14:00 GMT on Tuesday after reports a man had threatened staff with a hammer and he had damaged a window, police said.

At 22:00 GMT, police received a further report that the same man had returned and started a fire inside the property.

A 42-year-old man was later arrested in connection with both incidents and remained in custody, officers said.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Hunslet and Killingbeck had attended the pub at about 22:10 GMT on Tuesday and had discovered the fire on the ground floor.

The blaze was extinguished by about 22:55 GMT, with no injuries, the fire service said.

A spokesperson added that the Fire Investigation Unit had determined that the blaze was deliberate.

In a post on social media, staff at the pub said the taproom and bar had been damaged.

They added that the pub would be "closed for a little while while it undergoes repair".