A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at a block of flats in Avenham.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the flats in Sandown Court after the blaze broke out on the 9th floor at 3.30am.

One man was taken to hospital suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Five fire engines from Preston, Bamber ridge and Penwortham, tackled the blaze at the 17-storey tower block.

Police and ambulance crews also attended the scene.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We were called at 03:32 hours on Friday 16^th November to reports of a fire at an address on Avenham Lane, Preston.

“The building was evacuated while Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire.

“It is being treated as suspicious at this time.

“A 26-year-old man from Preston has been arrested on suspicion of arson. He is currently in police custody.”