A MAN who was rescued from a fire on Thursday morning has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

The 47-year-old was rescued by firefighters from the three-storey building in Skinnergate, in Darlington.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with minor injuries where he was later arrested.

He has been released under investigation while he is treated in hospital for his injuries and to allow officers to carry out enquiries into the cause of the fire.

Police were called to the incident at 4.30am on Thursday morning by colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire has since been extinguished.

A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said: “We appreciate this incident has had a huge impact on businesses and residents in the local area, and we’d like to thank them for their patience and cooperation throughout.

“We will remain at the scene while a thorough investigation is carried out by ourselves and the fire service into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

“Skinnergate remains closed to traffic, but we hope to have a pedestrian access route open by this evening (Thursday, May 24).”

Darlington Borough Council have arranged temporary accommodation for four people – and a dog– who were evacuated from nearby properties.

The council also confirmed the affected area of Skinnergate will be closed to traffic until at least after the Bank Holiday weekend.

Access for pedestrians will be maintained and a traffic management plan will be put in place.

A knock-on effect of the blaze was a power cut which affected properties in the DL3 postcode area of Darlington.

Northern Powergrid said it was a "complex" power cut which it was working hard to fix.

A spokeswoman said it estimated all customers affected would have their supplies restored by 9pm on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Darlington Borough Council confirmed the Darlington Food and Drink Festival will go ahead as planned in the town centre over the Bank Holiday weekend.