A man has been charged after ‘causing a fire and explosion’ at a Wiltshire home.
Emergency services raced to the serious incident in Caddy Lane, Mere, shortly before 4am on Monday (16 December).
Fire crews from Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Wincanton attended the scene, with two firefighters entering the house to make it safe.
“On arrival, there was no sign of flames or smoke but a strong smell of gas”, a spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Adding: “Two breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet and air monitors to check the property. Gas and electrics were isolated, and our stop came in at 6.03am.”
Wiltshire Police confirmed that the occupant, Martin Clayton, has since been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
According to court documents, he is alleged to have “set fire to 1 Caddy Lane, Mere”, which is listed as “a property belonging to Patricia Prout”.
The 71-year-old was remanded in police custody and is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday).
