A  WOMAN has been arrested following a late night house fire on the Felmores Estate. 

Emergency services were called to a terraced house in Winstree in Basildon at 23.56pm last night.

Fire crews reported the house was well alight when they arrived.

However it is believed new cladding on the terraced houses prevented the blaze spreading to neighbouring homes. 

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used three hose reels to extinguish the blaze by about 12.30am.

Essex Fire and Rescue are working with Essex Police to carry out an investigation in to the cause of the blaze.

Nobody was at the house at the time of the blaze and no one was injured.

A 28-year-old woman from Basildon has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently being questioned at Basildon Police Station.

Mandie Skeat, Basildon Council's head of housing and community services, said: "Fortunately the property was empty when the fire service arrived and no one was hurt.

"Initial investigations show that the fire prevention work carried out by the council including the re-cladding of the outside of the property contained the fire.

"Very little damage was sustained to the outside of the property and the fire did not spread to neighbouring homes.

"Once the police investigation is concluded the council will secure the property."