A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life following a house fire.

Emergency services were called to Palace Street, off Heywood Street, in Bury late Monday night after a fire broke out in a first floor bedroom of a house of multi-occupancy.

Police, who were on the scene first, extinguished the blaze and led out an occupant.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called shortly after 11.30pm on Monday to a report of fire at a property on Palace Street, Bury.

Emergency services attended.

"A man, aged 27, has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life."

Fire crews and police launched a joint investigation into the blaze at the property, which has been converted into a multi-occupancy property, with a communal area downstairs.

Crew Manager Keith Hadley from Bury Fire Station said: "Smoke was coming from a first floor bedroom window.

"A neighbour had heard the smoke alarm and called the emergency services.

"A young male was out of the house, which was one of multi-occupancy.

"The carpet and bed were on fire.

"Two police officers who arrived first on scene did in fact extinguish the fire with two fire dry powder extinguishers, and escorted the occupant from the premises."

Mr Hadley said that the door to the bedroom ­— which was of a specific standard due to the nature of the house ­— was closed, and prevented the fire from spreading.