An arson investigation has begun after flames from a wheelie bin "deliberately set on fire" spread to a house in the early hours of this morning.

The fire service said the critical control room began receiving multiple calls just after 2.20am about a fire outside a house in Hayle.

A spokesperson said: "The only details given were that it was a wheelie bin that had been deliberately set on fire.

"On arrival the first crew updated control that the fire now involved the house itself and they were unsure if people were inside."

An ambulance was called for as firefighters from Tolvaddon and Hayle fire station entered the burning building "to search for saveable life within the property," said the fire service.

"The crew found the property to be heavily smoke logged. Having searched the property the crew were unable to find any persons inside the property and believed that all persons were accounted for."

The fire was out by 3.26am.

The spokesperson continued: "Callers were able to provide descriptions of the persons believed responsible and this was passed to police at the time of mobilising.

"The incident was handed over to the police who are currently investigating."

The fire service later went on to say on Twitter that the fire was being treated as arson.

Anyone with information should contact police by calling 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting log 101 of 16/05/20.