POLICE and firefighters were probing at the scene of a fire today after a man was arrested on suspicion of arson.

Three people were taken to hospital after a fire near Barrow town centre on Thursday night.

The incident, at a house in Storey Square, is suspected to have been started deliberately.

Police say two men have been taken to hospital with injuries described as serious while another was taken to Furness General to be treated for smoke inhalation.

A large-scale emergency response to the incident included two air ambulances.

A 57-year-old man, who was treated for minor injuries, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody.

Police remained at the scene on Friday with a cordon in place on the bottom of the street, close to the junction with Rawlinson Street.

A Cumbria Fire and Rescue vehicle was also present at the site as firefighters investigated the incident alongside police.

Pictures captured of the incident showed smoke billowing from the building, although no external damage was visible following the fire.

Cumbria Police have appealed for witnesses or those with doorbell or dashcam images to come forward to help the investigation.

A spokesman said on Friday: "A joint investigation has been launched into a fire that occurred on Storey Square, Barrow.

"Police were contacted by Cumbria Fire and Rescue at around 6pm yesterday (June 1) to the report.

"Two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"A third man was taken to Furness General Hospital for smoke inhalation

"A 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, he remains in police custody.

"A cordon remains in place whilst investigations are ongoing.

"Officers are also appealing for dashcam and doorbell footage around the time of the incident.

"Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 193 of 1 June 2023."