Woman, 36, arrested after suspected arson attack at block of flats

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A woman has been arrested after a suspected arson attack at a block of flats in Rochdale.

The blaze broke out at the three-storey building on Daventry Road last night (Monday). Eight people had to be rescued by fire crews, though they all refused treatment from paramedics at the scene.

None of them were seriously injured. In an update issued this morning, Greater Manchester Police said the incident is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

READ MORE: Police scour upmarket bars in Cheshire's Golden Triangle and find Class A drugs in toilets... and behind a cushion

A 36-year-old woman was arrested. She remains in custody to be quizzed by detectives.

An investigation into the fire is ongoing. Multiple fire crews raced to the scene last night and a cordon was put in place.

In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "We received a report at around 5:15pm on Monday 1 August 2022 regarding a fire at Daventry Road. Emergency services attended the scene to assist with no serious or life threatening injuries reported.

"Investigations are ongoing into what is believed to be arson where a 36-year-old woman remains in custody for questioning."

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At around 5.15pm on Monday 1 August, firefighters were called out to a fire at three-storey block of flats on Daventry Road, Rochdale.

“Four fire engines from Rochdale, Chadderton and Heywood attended the scene and rescued eight casualties from the building using a ladder. Fire fighters used two hose reels, breathing apparatus and ventilation equipment to extinguish the fire.

"All casualties declined treatment from North West Ambulance