Man arrested after house fire in Newbury
Firefighters were at the scene for nearly five hours
A 75-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a house fire at Wash Common near Newbury.
The incident happened on Thursday evening at around seven o'clock and one person had to be rescued by firefighters.
A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire fire and rescue said:
"At 7:05pm on Thursday, 9 January, we received reports of a fire on Skippons Close in Newbury.
"Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Newbury, Caversham Road, Hungerford, Mortimer and Theale Fire Stations were sent to the scene, alongside the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead, the Aerial Ladder Platform from Whitley Wood, three Officers and two crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.
"Upon arrival, crews found a fire in the first floor and roof of a property Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to extinguish the fire using two main jets, two hose reels and the Aerial Ladder Platform.
"One person was rescued from the house by firefighters and placed into the care of South Central Ambulance Service. Our crews also worked with local authority colleagues to support those displaced as a result of the fire.
"Crews were at the scene for four hours and 45 minutes, and returned the following morning for reinspection. An investigation will be completed to establish the cause of the fire."
Police say the man arrested was treated in hospital and remains in custody.