A MAN has been charged with burglary and arson with intent to endanger life after a house fire in Stourbridge.

Clive Bell, of Fairfields, Cinderford, in Gloucestershire, is set to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on Friday, August 30.

The fire broke out at a semi-detached house on Penfields Road at around 6.45pm on Monday, (August 26).

An investigation showed that the fire was started deliberately. No one was hurt in the incident.

Firefighters at the sceneFirefighters at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Following enquiries the 60-year-old man was arrested in his car on the A491 near to Bell End, Worcestershire, on Wednesday morning (August 28).

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "This was a fire on the first floor of a semi-detached house.

"The property and adjoining house were heavily smoke-logged.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire.

"Two people left the property before the fire began. After confirming there was no fire spread between the two houses, firefighters ventilated both buildings.

"We have revisited the scene to check for hotspots but none have been found.

"Fire investigators believe this fire was started deliberately."

Two fire engines and a 4x4 brigade response vehicle responded, crewed by 13 firefighters from Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Haden Cross stations.

The damaged houseThe damaged house (Image: Newsquest)

Attached neighbours Pauline and Jim Hawtin said they heard a loud bang.

Pauline, who is in her 70s, said: "We were having our tea and heard a very large bang and then noises then straight away someone started banging on the window saying there's a fire.

"It was a big bang and sounded like something heavy had fallen over."

The couple said a woman and her two sons live at the house, but they believe the woman was away at the time.

Jim, who is in his 80s, said: "The main thing is that everyone is okay."