A MAN in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of arson and assaulting an emergency worker after emergency services attended a fire that completely destroyed a North East property.
Firefighters attended the incident at around 2.15pm yesterday (April 7) on Delaval Road, Billingham, which saw four units from Billingham, Grangetown, Middlesbrough and Thornaby attend the scene.
The North East Ambulance Service and Cleveland Police also arrived at the Billingham address, which saw a man in his 40s arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and assault on an emergency worker.
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Following the fire, he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, due to the danger of smoke inhalation.
No one else was present at the house at the time of the fire, but a police officer suffered minor injuries while attending the incident.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Police attended a report of a house fire along with other emergency services colleagues around 2:15pm today on Delaval Road, Billingham.
“A man aged in his forties was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and assault on an emergency worker.
“The man has been taken to hospital as a precaution after possibly suffering smoke inhalation.
“A police officer at the scene suffered minor injuries.
“No one else was present in the address at the time of the incident.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
Alongside the enquiries from Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service are continuing to investigate after leaving the scene at around midnight.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “House Fire, 8 Breathing Apparatus 4 Hose Reels, one person removed from property on arrival of crews. Semi - Detached house was 100 per cent damaged by fire.”
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