A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a house fire. 

Police were called to the fire in The Commons, Colchester at about 4pm yesterday.

A spokesman said: "When we attended we found one property with significant damage and another with minor damage.

"No-one was seriously injured.

"A 58 year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of arson. He is currently in police custody."

Police said it is an isolated incident and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.

The fire service worked for hours to tackle the blaze at a house during the school rush hour.

It is not certain how the fire started at the house in Winston Avenue, but firefighters were at the scene until 9pm yesterday.

An ambulance crew and an ambulance officer were sent to help.

A spokesman said: "At the scene we treated one patient, a man believed to be in his 50s, with smoke inhalation.

"The patient was taken to Colchester General Hospital for further care.”

UPDATE 1PM: Fire crews reported that there was a fire in a ground floor room and, following an investigation, at this stage the most likely cause of the fire is deliberate.

Following extensive smoke and fire damage the house is now uninhabitable.