A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following fire that gutted a family home.

The fire brigade was called to the property on Charlotte Street, Redcar, at around 2pm yesterday (Monday, April 21).

It took around half an hour and specialist thermal imaging technology to put out the fire that left the upstairs of the property more than three-quarters damaged by fire and completely smoke damaged.

There was nobody in the house at the time of the fire.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “We were called to reports of a fire at a house on Charlotte Street in Redcar at around 2pm yesterday.

“The house was empty at the time of the incident. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempt murder and is currently in police custody.”

One engine from Redcar Fire Station and one engine from Grangetown Fire Station attended.

Four firefighters required breathing apparatus to tackle the flames.

Detectives are investigating alongside Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.