FIVE people have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire was started in communal hallway at a block of flats.

Fire crews were called at around 4.40am on Tuesday to Newport Avenue, Wallasey.

Eight people were evacuated and four given precautionary checks at the scene by paramedics, but did not require hospital treatment.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose jets to tackle the flames on the first-floor of the building. They then had to extinguish a blaze in a van which was parked around 100 metres away.

Fire officers say both were suspected deliberate ignitions.

Four teenagers aged between 15 and 18, all from North Liverpool, were arrested and a 17-year-old from Wirral was also held.

The five have been given police bail pending further inquiries.

Station manager Mark Thomas, incident commander at the scene, said: “One of the fires involved a nest of tables in a communal corridor of a building containing flats that quickly spread to a double-glazed window unit.

“We will be carrying out further visits to this area to highlight fire safety in the home and the importance of having working smoke alarms on each level of your property.

“We investigate all fires we are called to, and work with police to prosecute those responsible for arson.”

Fire engines from Wallasey, Birkenhead, Upton and Liverpool city centre attended the incident.

To report unsafe bonfires that are not yet lit or to report storage of bonfire materials for removal call Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service on 0800 7315958.