A MIDDLEWICH man suspected of lighting fire to a boat moored at The Kings Lock in the early hours of the morning, has been arrested. 

The 31-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a large fire on the canal along Booth Lane. 

Firefighters were called to the scene at 3.20am and were there for around an hour and 10 minutes.

A joint spokesman for Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At around 3.20am on Friday, May 18, firefighters were called to reports of a boat being on fire on Booth Lane in Middlewich.

"On arrival crews discovered that the canal boat moored at Kings Lock was well alight and that no-one was on board.

"Firefighters used two hose reel jets and a main jet to extinguish the fire.

"They pumped water from a nearby source to help fight the fire.

"Firefighters were in attendance for around an hour and 10 minutes.

"The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

"Police were at the scene and arrested a 31-year-old man from Middlewich on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in relation to this incident."