Police arrest 59-year-old man on suspicion of arson
NORTHUMBRIA Police have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of arson, following a blaze in North Tyneside, which tore through a number of properties.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service received reports about a garden fire minutes before 6pm on Monday evening in The Spinney, Annitsford, deploying five crews to deal with the incident. One unit from Northumberland FRS also arrived at the scene to help battle the blaze.
Residents from the affected area were evacuated as teams worked to extinguish the complex fire, which also had spread to the car garage next door.
Fire crews left the incident shortly after 9pm, but a police cordon remained in place while officers from Northumbria Police carried out enquiries.
Station Manager, Jay Shepherd, said “Five appliances from across Tyne and Wear and one from Northumberland FRS were on the scene in a matter of minutes to begin battling the blaze.
“Upon our arrival, the crews were faced with a significant and complex fire which included the car garage next door. Thankfully there were no persons in the unit at the time of the fire.
“A small number of local residents were temporarily evacuated as a safety precaution but have since returned to their homes.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson, added:
“Enquiries are ongoing with the fire service regarding the circumstances surrounding the blaze and there is no wider threat to the public.
“A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He remains in police custody at this time.”