TERRIFIED neighbours watched as a flat become engulfed by a fire which police believe may have been started intentionally.

A 51-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life after a 'severe' fire broke out in the early hours of this morning (Monday).

Frightened neighbours saw flames and smoke pouring out of the first-floor flat on Sheepscombe Drive in Worcester.

The woman remains in police custody.

Neighbours had to be evacuated from their homes after the severe fire broke out at around 4am on Monday (July 31).

Firefighters were at the scene for two hours to put out the fire with a hose reel jet.

Nobody was injured but residents were woken up by smoke, flames and sirens from fire engines. 

One eyewitness saw flames and black smoke coming from the windows of the first-floor flat.

She said: "It was really scary and frightening, I saw the residents being evacuated."

Another Sheepscombe Drive resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I ran out to the fire engine at 4am.

"Flashing lights were coming into our bedroom and it woke us up.

"The fire engines didn't have the sirens on, but they had blue lights.

"I didn't see any flames, but a lot of smoke was coming out of the room.

"I was concerned for the people who lived there.

 

"It's such a shame, there was a lot of smoke coming out.

"A police car came around breakfast time."

READ MORE: Sheepscombe Drive: Severe fire in Warndon flat

The resident said a police van turned up not long after.

"Someone from social housing also came to take photographs of the flat."

West Mercia Police said officers were called to the scene at about 5.15am.

A spokesperson said: "The fire, which was contained within the property was extinguished by the fire service.

"No one was injured.

"It is believed the fire was started deliberately.

"A 51-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody."

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said: "Two Worcester Fire Station crews attended Sheepscombe Drive where there was a severe fire in the bedroom of a first-floor flat.

"All people were accounted for and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the flames with one hose reel jet.

"They cut away and dampened down the area to extinguish the fire fully before leaving the incident at 6.23am."