POLICE are appealing for witnesses as a conservatory fire in Brighton Hill is being treated as arson.

Firefighters and police were called to the home in Porter Road between 1.42pm and 1.50pm on Monday, but the fire was out by the time firefighters arrived.

A 39-year-old woman was in the house looking after a three-year-old child.

It is believed a man was seen acting suspiciously in an alleyway close to the house before the suspect accessed the rear garden and reached into an open conservatory window, setting light to a sofa.

The woman saw the flames and put them out with the help of a neighbour. No-one was injured, but one person was given oxygen therapy at the scene and passed on to South Central Ambulance Service.

If anyone has any information about the incident, they are encouraged to call 101 with the reference number 44190085880.