A HOUSE fire in Penzance last week was started deliberately police and fire investigators have confirmed.

Arson is suspected after firefighters were called to the house in Adelaide Street, Penzance in the early hours of December 15.

The Penzance crew had to call for help from firefighters in Hayle, St Just and St Ives as well as a specialist appliance from Falmouth.

The initial report said smoke was billowing from the house at 3.03am. Firfighters used breathing apparatus and hosereels to put out the flames. Nobody was hurt.

A spokesman from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 0303 this morning a call was received to a house where the caller could see smoking issuing. On arrival the crew from Penzance requested further assistance and crews from Hayle, St Just and St Ives were mobilised along with a specialist appliance from Falmouth.

"Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hosereels to investigate and extinguish the fire.

The fire crews had left the scene by 0500hrs and a joint fire and police team returned to carry out an investigation to determine that the fire had been started deliberately. If anyone has any information on who may be responsible, please contact Devon & Cornwall Police by dialling 101.