A MAN has been released by police after his arrest following a fire in Winchester in a cat died.

A police investigation is continuing into the domestic fire at a house in St Martins Close, Winnall at around 10.30pm on Monday (December 30).

Five fire crews were called to the incident which left the end of terrace property seriously damaged.

A 35-year-old man from the city was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Hampshire Constabulary are continuing to investigate the circumstances. A spokesman said: "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."

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.

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.