Woman arrested on suspicion of arson after Portsmouth flat fire as emergency services close road in Hilsea

By Joe Buncle
Published 15th Mar 2023, 18:49 BST
Updated 15th Mar 2023, 19:46 BST
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Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman from Portsmouth on suspicion of arson after a flat caught ablaze in Hilsea this afternoon.

Emergency services closed Farmside Gardens while firefighters tackled the blaze, which left a woman in her 30s needing hospital treatment for minor injuries. At least four police cars and three fire engines attended the scene.

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A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 3.47pm today (Wednesday, 15 March) to a report of a fire at a flat in Farmside Gardens, Hilsea, Portsmouth. Colleagues from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire.

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Emergency services closed a road in Hilsea this afternoon after reports that a flat had caught ablaze.Emergency services closed a road in Hilsea this afternoon after reports that a flat had caught ablaze.
Emergency services closed a road in Hilsea this afternoon after reports that a flat had caught ablaze.

‘A woman in her 30s has been taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. No-one else was injured. The road was closed for a short time while the emergency services made the area safe. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. A 33-year-old woman from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of arson.’

A resident from a neighbouring building claimed that firefighters rescued a dog from the burning flat.

Police have urged witnesses of the incident to aid their investigation by calling 101 – quoting reference number 44230104372 – or by submitting information via its website.