POLICE are treating a fire which destroyed a house in Callington in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday) as suspicious and are appealing for witnesses.

Officers are seeking help from the public to identify a man who was seen acting suspiciously at the scene of the fire in Launceston Road, near Callington Community College.

The fire at the newly built property was spotted by police officers who were on a routine patrol at around 3.40am and five fire appliances from Callington, Saltash and Liskeard attended the blaze which was well alight when they arrived.

Twenty-four people from the eight houses opposite the fire were evacuated to the Ginsters factory nearby where they were given tea, coffee and biscuits. Ginsters also supplied pasties to the teams of firefighters and police officers.

Sgt Michael Howe said he arrived the same time as the fire engines and the blaze was 'like a Catherine Wheel' with sparks flying everywhere. His priority was to evacuate local houses as soon as possible.

Resident Claire Harbottle said she had never seen anything like it before and the heat was like a furnace: 'We heard shouting and looked out of the window and saw that the house opposite was on fire.

'The flames were really high, the house just went up really quickly and the sparks were coming across the road.'

Road closures were put in place for several hours causing disruption to traffic arriving at the college.

Thanks were expressed to the deputy head of the college, John Wheldon, who had arrived early to co-ordinate the arrival of the children, as well as the Portreeve Rick Lumley who had also supplied refreshments, all the emergency services and Ginsters.

Cleaners at the school spotted a man acting suspiciously in the area at around 3am. He was wearing a beige top which could possibly have been a hoodie.

Anyone with information regarding the blaze is being asked to contact the police on 08452 777444 quoting log number 94 of 06/05/09.