A WOMAN was moved to a safe house last night following a suspected arson attack on a flat in Rose Hill.

Three fire crews were called to the blaze in a ground floor flat, which was empty at the time, at Butler House, in Ashhurst Way, at about 9.10pm on Thursday.

Scenes-of-crime officers and the fire investigation unit were yesterday searching for clues.

Three panes had been smashed in the ground floor windows.

Neighbour Luke Bowder, 35, said: “I saw loads of very black smoke coming out the window. You do not expect an arson attack here. In a weird sense it does bring the community together but not in the most positive way.”

A 50-year-old neighbour in Spencer Crescent, who refused to be named, said: “Thank God nobody died.”

Police issued an appeal to track down a man aged about 50 seen on the estate at the time of the incident.

He is described as white about 5ft 7ins tall with short spiky brown hair and a tattoo on his left arm. He was wearing a blue hooded top.

Call Cowley police station on 08458 505505.