An appeal has been issued to find an alleged arsonist after fire broke out in a maisonette.

Met Police were called to a property in Hornchurch Station Lane on November 10 to reports of the incident.

Officers attended and were told by the occupants that they woke up to the sound of fire alarm and a fire in the house at 4.40am.

Firefighters from Dagenham Fire Station rushed to the scene after they were called at 4.56am. A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade however said that the fire was already put out when they arrived.

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Fire crews left at 05:49am once the police took over the investigation.

The cause of the fire is under probe but Met Police has released an appeal to identify a person they believe could be responsible for an arson.

Officers have urged anyone driving in the area around the time to provide dashcam footage to help with their search.

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 quoting CAD 0817/10Nov. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.