A house was seriously damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack early today.

The end of terrace property in Burrow Road, Folkestone, was so badly affected it is uninhabitable.

A 42-year-old man from Folkestone has been arrested in connection with the incident and is in police custody.

Firefighters say the blaze started in the stairwell and spread up the stairs to the first floor.

Watch manager John Howard, from Folkestone fire station, said: “There is extensive damage.

“The stairs are gone and there is smoke damage to the whole house.”

It is thought the house was occupied by four people but no one was in at the time.

Neighbours called the fire service at 3.30am.

A family living immediately next door with a 10-month-old baby was evacuated as a precaution but later allowed back home. Their house was not affected.

Mr Howard said: “When we arrived, we thought there may be someone inside so we searched the house wearing breathing apparatus but there was no one there,” he said.

“We understand that four people were living there but there was no one around.

“The fire started in the stairwell on the ground floor and went up the stairs. The whole house is affected by smoke and water.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated by police.

A spokesman said: "We were called at 3.21am following reports of a fire at a property in Burrow Road, Folkestone.

"Officers are treating the fire as arson and one man is currently in police custody having been arrested in connection with the incident."

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hose reels to tackle the blaze.

Three crews from Folkestone and Dover attended and were at the scene until 5.45am.