A FIFTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD woman from Teignmouth was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life at a four-storey building in the resort early today (Wednesday).

Police and firefighters were called to multi-occupation flats in South View just before 1am after a small fire was extinguished in a first floor hallway.

It’s understood a burning envelope had been posted through a letterbox some time after midnight.

No damage was caused at the property off the seafront, although some people had to be evacuated.

A woman at the scene was given oxygen after being overcome by smoke.

A fire spokesman said two pumps from the resort were despatched, but the blaze was out by the time they arrived just before 12.45am.

The incident is thought to be linked to a disturbance last Thursday night when police were called to deal with a ‘public nuisance’ at the nearby Bay Hotel.

The woman detained was taken to Torquay Police Station’s custody centre where she remains this morning.