A MAN in his 40's has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a mattress was set alight at a home in Bridgwater. 

Avon and Somerset Police were called shortly before midnight on Tuesday (February 14) to Duke Street after a mattress was believed to have been deliberately set on fire during an 'altercation'. 

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We were called shortly before midnight following a fire at a property on Duke Street. 

"A man in his 40's was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life. 

"He remains in police custody."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent two engines to the Duke Street property after reports of smoke inside the property at 11.46pm on Tuesday (February 14). 

On arrival the crews confirmed that the property was smoke logged and got to work searching the property using two breathing apparatus wearers with a hose reel jet and a safety jet.

The crews found nobody inside the property but found a mattress that had been on fire in the front room but was now out. 

The smoke was cleared from the property using a positive pressure ventilation fan.

Duty of care of the property was left with the police as the cause of the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.