A HOUSE fire which broke out in Stourbridge yesterday is believed to have been started deliberately.

The fire broke out at a semi-detached house on Penfields Road at around 6.45pm yesterday (Monday August 26).

Police said they are investigating and "the fire is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and our enquiries are ongoing."

Firefighters at the scene Firefighters at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Attached neighbours Pauline and Jim Hawtin said they heard a loud bang.

Pauline, who is in her 70s, said: "We were having our tea and heard a very large bang and then noises then straight away someone started banging on the window saying there's a fire.

"It was a big bang and sounded like something heavy had fallen over."

The couple said a woman and her two sons live at the house, but they believe the woman was away at the time.

They said their home has soot and smoke damage and they and airing it and clearing up today.

Jim, who is in his 80s, said: "The main thing is that everyone is okay."

We will be adding updates to our live blog here. 

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We have launched an investigation following a house fire in Amblecote, yesterday evening.

"We were called to Penfields Road at around 6.40pm following reports of a fire.

"Fortunately, no-one was injured.

"The fire is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and our enquiries are ongoing."

Smoke and flames rising from the fireSmoke and flames rising from the fire (Image: Beckie Pearson)

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "This was a fire on the first floor of a semi-detached house.

"The property and adjoining house were heavily smoke-logged.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire.

"Two people left the property before the fire began. After confirming there was no fire spread between the two houses, firefighters ventilated both buildings.

"We have revisited the scene to check for hotspots but none have been found.

"Fire investigators believe this fire was started deliberately."

Two fire engines and a 4x4 brigade response vehicle responded, crewed by 13 firefighters from Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Haden Cross stations.