A significant fire broke out in a first-floor flat on Queens Avenue in Thornaby on Tuesday evening. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and ambulance crews, were quickly dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and utilising positive pressure ventilation worked to extinguish the blaze. The flat sustained severe damage, with the front window destroyed and visible damage to the rear of the building.
Police detained one male individual at the scene. The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Police attended a fire at a property on Queens Avenue in Thornaby, shortly before 6pm yesterday, Tuesday 16 April.
The 33-year-old man inside of the property arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and taken to James Cook University Hospital to receive treatment for smoke inhalation.
The man is now in police custody where he will be questioned by officers.”
Cleveland Fire Brigade added: “Cleveland Fire Brigade were called on 16/04/2024 at 17.53 to an incident on Queens Avenue in Thornaby. Three fire engines were in attendance from Stockton and Thornaby. House well alight, all persons accounted for. Two jets and four breathing apparatus used. 95% fire damage to property. Police and ambulance were in attendance. We left the scene at 19.08. The cause is believed to be deliberate.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 5.56pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 16 April) to reports of a fire at a private address on Queens Avenue in Thornaby. We dispatched two ambulance crews and a duty officer, and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road. We transported one patient to hospital for further treatment.”