A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after about 25 firefighters were called to a house fire in Oulton Broad this afternoon.

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after about 25 firefighters were called to a house fire in Oulton Broad this afternoon.

Four fire engines were called to the blaze at the home in Romany Road at about 12.15pm and police officers were called to control passing traffic.

Assistant divisional fire officer Mark Labdon said: “This was a serious fire in the first floor of a detached chalet-style bungalow.

“When we got here the building was empty. The crews did well and worked hard to put out the flames.”

He said that most of the damage had been confined to a first floor bedroom, but the flames had spread through the roof space.

Mr Labdon said that the fire was “difficult to deal with” because the building was hard to access. One crew stayed on the scene after the fire was put out while investigations into the cause were underway.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “We were called to the scene by the fire service at 12.30pm initially to provide traffic control but were then informed that the fire was suspicious.

“Enquiries were subsequently launched and a 48-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fire.”

The man is currently in custody at Lowestoft police station.