POLICE are investigating a fire which is believed to have been started deliberately next to a block of flats in York.

Fire crews were called to St Stephens Road in Acomb at about 4.30am today.

They found a wheelie bin on fire against the doors to a block of flats.

It caused fire damage to the bin, doors and smoke damage to the entrance.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire fire service said: "The cause is deliberate."

Police are investigating the circumstances of the fire and have carried out house-to-house and forensic inquiries at the scene, a North Yorkshire Police spokesman added.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident are urged to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.

Quote reference NYP-09012018-0037.