Man in hospital following a fire in Sunderland as police make arrest
Properties had to be evacuated last night (23rd Dec) on Southend Road
A man has been arrested as police launched an investigation into a fire in Sunderland last night (23rd December).
Officers were alerted to a fire inside an address on Southend Road at around 7.40pm.
A number of neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution and the blaze was extinguished by fire fighters. The majority of residents have since been allowed to return to their homes.
A man – aged in his 40s – was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remains there for treatment. A second man – also aged in his 40s – was arrested on suspicion of cannabis production and remains in police custody.
Police say that officers and partners remain in the area to carry out enquiries into the cause of the fire.