Nottinghamshire Police was called just before 9.40 pm on Saturday 4 April to a report of the fire within the flat at a complex in Walesby Drive, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Officers were at the scene within minutes of the incident being reported and moved quickly to evacuate residents from adjoining properties and take a 59-year-old man from the affected flat to a place of safety.
Detective Chief Inspector Hayley Williams from Nottinghamshire Police said: “This incident had the potential to cause real harm to a large number of people living close and the seriousness of this cannot be understated.
“Thanks to the courage and quick-thinking of our officers, however, people living in the adjoining properties have been safely evacuated and I would like to thank them for their actions.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their support in leaving their properties promptly when asked to do so by our officers, as their cooperation helped to make the work of our officers and fire crews much easier.
“Our investigative team’s attention will now turn to building a better understanding of how the fire began and we will have officers in the area today. I would encourage anyone with any information about how the fire began or those affected to speak to our officers.”
A scene remains in place at the address as officers continue their work to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The 59-year old man who was evacuated from the affected property has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in hospital this morning, where he is being treated for smoke inhalation.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 757 of 4 April 2020.
