Homes evacuated in Upton bomb scare
Experts in protective clothing swooped on an outbuilding in the grounds of The Hawthorns after a mystery object was found in the outhouse.
A man, believed to be 55-year-old Richard Hardy, was arrested on suspicion of arson.
Last night he was still in custody.
Firefighters first arrived at the scene at 5.05am,
Nearby homes were evacuated and a cordon was set up at Upton Hill as 35 firefighters worked on the site during the day.
Meanwhile, police closed the B4073 at Upton Hill in both directions.
Last night the route was still shut with diversions set up around Matson.
The blaze, attended by nine fire appliances, completely destroyed the outbuilding and a fifth of the house.
Bomb squad officers concluded that the item they had found was not a bomb.
Mr Hardy used to live at the two-storey property set in three acres of land.
His former home is currently being marketed by Steve Gooch Estate Agents.
Martin Atkins, 51, his wife Sue, three-year-old daughter Lucy and their two dogs, were among residents evacuated.
Mr Atkinson, who lives opposite the blaze-hit site, said: "We're not allowed back until we get the all-clear.
"We've even had Stroud District Council on the phone asking if we've got somewhere to stay tonight. There's apparently no definite conclusion as to when we'll be able to go back. It's all very concerning. We live in a very quiet hamlet above the town and very little happens here so this is quite shocking and worrying."
Colin Loveridge, who lives nearby with his wife and 17-year-old son Sam, said: "I wouldn't say I was worried or scared, it's just very surprising.
"The road closure will cause me problems if I want to go to Gloucester as I'll have to go all the way round Upton village to get there."
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said the homes were evacuated after a suspected explosive device was found in the outbuilding where the fire is believed to have started.
"The evacuations have been carried out as a precautionary measure and Army bomb disposal experts have been called to examine the device," he said.
Chris Spencer, fire station manager, said: "We were called to the house fire at 5.05am, two appliances from Gloucester attended and crews tackled and extinguished the fire in the house and adjacent store. Upon daybreak, we noticed dew rising from the stable which manifested itself as being caused by a chemical of unknown origin or source. As a precautionary measure, we closed Upton Hill and notified Environmental Health and the Environment Agency."
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "The fire service has notified us of the situation and we are attending."
Emergency crews remained at the property last night to try to determine the exact cause of the fire.
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