A FIRE in a block of flats was caused deliberately, it has been confirmed.

Firefighters rescued a man after following a fire in a communal stairwell in a block of flats in Colchester last Thursday.

On arrival, crews reported that the stairwell of a three storey block of flats was heavily smoke logged and rescued a man from inside.

Firefighters gave oxygen therapy to the man who suffered smoke inhalation and he was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

A spokesman for the service said: "An investigation into the cause of the fire found it had been started deliberately."

Crews managed to extinguish the fire by 4:20pm.

Read more >> Police remain at scene of fire where man was rescued from smoke-logged flat

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We can confirm we’re investigating this fire as an arson.

"There have been no arrests yet, but any information to us [should be sent] in the usual ways and to quote the investigation reference 42/106647/21."

Station manager Danny Partridge said: "Crews responded quickly to extinguish this fire and we'd like to thank the residents for their co-operation while we put this fire out."

A Dorchester Road resident, who asked not to be named, said four of fire engines came rushing down the road to put out a fire in the block of flats opposite her home.

She said: "I was out at the time, but my husband was in and saw the fire engines rush down the road and go into one of the flat blocks.

"By the time I got home, they had gone so I don't know what the extent of the damage was or if anyone was hurt."