Police believe a fire started at a property in Whitchurch may have been deliberate.

A crew from Whitchurch was joined by one from Prees to put out a blaze at Springhill, in Alkington at around 5.35am on Monday.

Crews spent around 45 minutes putting out the blaze which involved properties on the first and ground floor, using two hose reel jets and a thermal imaging camera.

It is reported that it's the second time in a month that the property has caught fire with a previous report on July 16.

A 73-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment and police are now investigating circumstances around the fire.

Eleanor Harris, communications officer at West Mercia Police, said: "Earlier today police were called to reports of a fire at a property in Whitchurch.

"Initial enquiries suggest the fire may have been caused deliberately."

Anyone with any information should contact West Mercia on 101 quoting incident number 835S130818.

Alternatively, contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org