The fire which ripped through a house in Queen’s Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning was started deliberately, police have confirmed.

The blaze, at a house near the junction with St John’s Road, started at about 2.30am, forcing firefighters to risk their lives in a perilous room-to-room search.

A subsequent investigation into the cause of the blaze revealed fires had been started in several rooms after one or more people forced their way through the front door.

Fortunately, nobody was living in the house and nobody was hurt.

Detective Sergeant John Hazeldine said: “It is fortunate there was no one injured.

“However, there were neighbours in adjoining houses who were put at risk by this fire.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw anything, or has any information which could help us apprehend those responsible, to come forward.”

Anyone with information should telephone 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.