A CAT died in a domestic fire at a house in Winchester last night.

Now, a 35-year-old man from the city has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and is in police custody.

Four fire crews were called to the incident in St Martins Close, Winnall at around 10.30pm.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We can confirm we are investigating the circumstances of a fire at a house in St Martins Close, Winchester.

"We were called at 10.33pm on Monday 30 December by colleagues at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"The fire was extinguished but caused damage to the ground floor of the property. No injuries were reported.

"Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting the reference number 44190467144."

The firefighters from Winchester, Eastleigh, Sutton Scotney and Alresford tackled the fierce blaze with two hose reels and one main jet with the flames out by around midnight.

The alarm had been raised by someone seeing smoke and flames coming from the house.

All persons inside the property managed to get out but firefighters found the cat inside the building.

When a Chronicle reporter attended the scene this morning, two uniformed police officers were on knocking on nearby doors.

A few of the house windows were smashed and the interior was black from the fire. 

Blue and white police tape is cordoning off the property.