Flat fire on fourth floor – man arrested by police

AMAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fourthfloor fire saw residents evacuated from their homes in the final hours of 2020.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were alerted at 7.03pm on December 31 to a fire in a kitchen on the top floor of the four-storey block of flats in Clowance Street, Devonport, Plymouth.

Two fire engines from Greenbank station and another from Camels Head were initially sent to the scene but on arrival they spotted smoke pouring from the top floor flat and requested two more fire engines from Crownhill and Plymstock fire stations and the aerial ladder platform from Crownhill.

In addition, a Command Support Unit from Totnes and Incident Command Unit from Bovey Tracey were also called to the scene. As the evening progressed, crews from Plympton and Yelverton were also called to the scene.

Firefighters using Breathing Apparatus entered the building and the flat to extinguish the fire and carry out a detailed search of the property.

Police later confirmed they arrested a 62-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He was taken to Charles Cross police station for interview.

He remained in police custody yesterday and an appeal for witnesses has been issued.

One resident said they had just settled down for a film and a drink when they heard hammering on their door and another neighbour frantically shouting at them to get out of the building as there was a fire in a nearby flat.

Another witness said their son, a tenant on the same fourth floor, was alerted in a similar way but then spotted smoke and flames billowing from the flat and a man walking away, apparently dazed.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our Urban Search and Rescue Team also attended to cut a hole in a concrete slab to check for fire hot spots.”

They added that crews initially believed one person may have remained in the property as not everyone was accounted for.

Paramedics and medical support staff from the South Western Ambulance Service were also called to the scene to assist with any potential casualties and police were also requested to help close the road and maintain a cordon.

As crews carried out their work, staff from Plymouth Community Homes – which owns the block of flats – assisted with the evacuation of a number of residents who were taken to a community centre in nearby Tavy House where they were kept warm and offered tea and coffee.

Police later arrived at Tavy House to speak with the residents and a number of statements were taken from potential witnesses.

The fire service said that around 50% of the flat was damaged by fire and it suffered 100% damage by smoke and heat.

The adjacent flat was 10% damaged by smoke and the flat below, on the third floor, suffered water damage.

Neighbourhood officers returned to Tavy House a second time to assist PCH in escorting residents back to their homes at around 10.30pm.