A MAN has been arrested in connection with a house fire which forced a councillor, her partner and children to flee their home in the early hours of the morning.

Labour councillor Liz Brookes, her two teenage children and partner were treated for smoke inhalation at Central Middlesex Hospital on Friday last week following the blaze which started at the front door of their home in Grafton Road, Acton.

Firefighters arrived at 3.13am and brought the blaze under control by 4am.

The police are treating the incident as suspicious and discovered evidence of liquid accelerant at the origin of the fire. However, they remain open-minded as to the motive. A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fire and released on bail until February pending further enquiries.

Cllr John Cudmore, leader of the council, told the Times: "This is a matter of great concern to me as Liz is not only a colleague but a great personal friend. It is a very sensitive situation and will remain so until police conclude their investigation, but I can say that Liz and her family are healthy.

"There are all sorts of legal reasons why I can't say much more, but more importantly because I'm concerned about her welfare and I would go out of my way to protect her."

Cllr Brookes, a social worker in Westminster, was the chairwoman of both the social services committee and the health committee for many years and has represented Heathfield ward since 1990.

She has a long history of active involvement in the voluntary sector. Outside the borough, Cllr Brookes is a member of the social services panel of the London-wide Association of London Government, and has represented local government on national social service bodies.

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