A SUSPECTED arson attack caused a small fire to break out at a house in Stourbridge yesterday evening (February 1).

West Midlands Fire Service crews from both the town’s station and Brierley Hill Fire Station were alerted to the fire, which was started at a low rise flat in Stepping Stones, at about 10.16pm last night.

Officers suspect the fire, which caused damage to the door and interiors of the property, was ignited on purpose.

Matthew Smith, spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service, said: “We received a call at 10.16pm and sent two engines, one from Stourbridge and the other from Brierley Hill; 10 firefighters in total.

“The fire involved carpets and interiors of a ground floor flat of a two storey semi-detached block in Stepping Stones, Stourbridge.

“Crews used a hose reel jet to tackle the blaze and once the fire was out used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the smoke.

“The firefighters believed the fire to be arson, so we asked for the police to attend the scene.”

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police added: “We were called to Stepping Stones, Stourbridge, by the fire service at around 10.30pm following reports that a flat had been slightly damaged by fire.

“The fire is currently being treated as suspicious.”