Block of flats cordoned off as police make arson arrest

Police are this afternoon quizzing a woman about an early-morning arson attack. They have arrested a 29-year-old woman on suspicion of arson following the blaze at Castle Moat Court, on Stanier Street, in Newcastle-under-Lyme^[1].

Staffordshire Police^[2] and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service^[3] were sent to the scene. The alarm was raised at 3.40am today.

A police spokesman said: “We were called to an address and went to the scene with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The fire was extinguished by firefighters and no-one was injured. A 29-year-old woman, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was then arrested on suspicion of arson and remains in custody.”

Fire investigators remain at the scene this afternoon.

A fire service spokesman said: “Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire. Excess smoke was then ventilated out of the building using a specialist device. Thankfully, no-one was reported injured. Crews are still in the area and continuing to investigate the cause of the fire alongside colleagues from Staffordshire Police.”

Witnesses should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 93 of September 5, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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References

1. ^{^} Newcastle-under-Lyme (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Staffordshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^{^} or click here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)