A BLAZE at a bungalow in a Chester suburb is being treated as suspicious.

The 53-year-old male occupant of the house in Merton Drive, Westminster Park, Chester, has been arrested along with another 53-year-old man from nearby Hough Green.

A ‘crime scene’ cordon was placed around the house and guarded by a PCSO pending a fire investigation.

Fire crews were called at 11.45pm on Sunday (September 5) after a dog walker spotted smoke coming from the property.

Because the car was on the drive, it was believed the occupant may be inside. Two teams wearing breathing apparatus were committed to the property with one engaged in tackling the blaze and the other to search the house.

Another crew from Ellesmere Port arrived to help in the search of the rooms, the garden and the garage. Firefighters also went up and down the street in case anyone had staggered out.

The blaze, which is believed to have been smouldering for a while, began in the corner of the living room and involved a cabinet, but the cause was not apparent. It was extinguished relatively quickly using two hosereels.

Fire crews found a mobile number for the householder and contacted him to tell him what had happened.

Crew manager Neil Harrison said the man, who arrived 45 minutes later, was quite shocked. He said there was extensive damage to the lounge and kitchen. There was heavy smoke-logging because the internal doors were left open.

One neighbour described the occupant as “a quiet, pleasant man”, who he thought had run a window repairs business, although he had not seen the van outside for a while.

A Cheshire police spokeswoman confirmed two local men, both aged 53, had been arrested.