A 62-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a flat fire in Stroud.

Police and fire crews were called to a fire at a ground-floor flat in Westward Road, Stroud, at 4am yesterday, Wednesday.

On arrival fire crews from Stroud and Nailsworth worked quickly to establish that all persons were out of the building after initial reports that some residents were still inside the property.

Five occupants of the building have been displaced due to fire and smoke damage.

Officers attended the fire and declared it was suspicious.

*A 62-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of arson and bailed to attend Gloucester police station on Friday, September 12.