A 23-year-old man is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of arson after setting fire to his own flat in Dewsbury last night.

Fire crews from Mirfield, Dewsbury and Ossett were called to the first floor flat in Heron Close, Ravensthorpe, at 10.22pm.

They found piles of furniture on fire in the entrance and rescued a man inside through a window.

Det Insp Ian Thornes of Kirklees CID said: “The man was taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital suffering from minor smoke inhalation. He is now in custody having been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

“He is also being investigated regarding a burglary in Lower Hopton on November 17.

Residents on the ground floor of the block of flats were evacuated. Although ventilation fans were used to clear the property of smoke the flat had been left uninhabitable.

Fire at Heron Close, Ravensthorpe.