RESIDENTS at a block of flats had to be evacuated after a mystery fire. Two fires were reported at a first floor flat at Faynes Court in Sunderland Road, Sandy, on Thursday night. At the first incident, firefighters from Sandy found a small fire on the la

RESIDENTS at a block of flats had to be evacuated after a mystery fire.

Two fires were reported at a first floor flat at Faynes Court in Sunderland Road, Sandy, on Thursday night.

At the first incident, firefighters from Sandy found a small fire on the landing outside flat 46 which they extinguished and called police after finding the front door of the flat had been forced open.

While police officers were making inquiries about the incident with other occupants on the top floor they were alerted to a second fire at flat 46 after hearing a smoke alarm sounding.

This time firefighters from Sandy were joined by colleagues from Potton as an intense fire had started inside flat 46.

Four fighfighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat which was smoke logged, fearing somebody might be trapped inside.

A search of the flat revealed it was unoccupied but a large quantity of personal items had been destroyed and the flat was badly damaged by heat and smoke.

At the second incident firefighters were in the block of flats for over two hours and burning material had to be thrown out of the windows.

While police officers monitored both incidents a woman was arrested in the vicinity and taken to Greyfriars police station in Bedford and questioned on suspicion of arson. She was released on bail pending further police inquiries.

Both the police and the fire service say the fire was suspicious and investigators spent Friday at the damaged flat which is owned by the Aldwyck Housing Association based in Dunstable.