A CAR blaze in the basement of a block of flats in Hatfield yesterday afternoon is being treated as a suspected arson.

Eight fire crews were called to Mosquito Way at 4.35pm and 22 residents were evacuated after a gas main was discovered next to the burning car.

Watch Commander Dave Hunt told the Review: “A gas main was ignited as a result of the car fire which made it more difficult for us to deal with the situation.

“The initial fire was put out quite rapidly but there was a lot of investigations going on until 7.20pm.

“We believe the car and the site were not secure and were are looking into the possibility that someone started the fire deliberately.”

A fire investigation is still being conducted to determine the cause.

To read more about a man who alerted the residents to the blaze click the related link to the story.