An investigation has been launched after a fire ripped through a house in Stapleton earlier today, leaving a woman hospitalised.
Fire crews from Temple and Kingswood were called to the property at Reedling Close at around 9.20am.
On arrival they found the first floor of the house alight.
Nearby residents reported hearing an explosion before running out of their homes to see what had happened.
Fire crews used four breathing apparatus and two high pressure hose reels to extinguish the blaze, which started in a bedroom.
A turntable ladder was also used to monitor the blaze amid concerns it could spread through the roof.
The fire caused serious damage to the first floor and part of the roof void.
Due to the extent of the blaze, which saw 90 per cent of the first floor damaged, the property has now been deemed as uninhabitable.
The property, understood to be owned by Bristol City Council, although deemed to be structurally safe will now be boarded up.
A woman at the property was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital.
No one else was at the property at the time of the blaze.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has been ruled as being started deliberately.
The matter has now been handed to the police.
Avon Fire and Rescue area manager for operational response Steve Quinton said: “We are treating it as a deliberate ignition at this stage.
“Our fire investigators attended the scene.
“This investigation has now been completed and the matter left in the hands of the police.”
A police spokesman said: "We were called by Avon Fire and Rescue Service at about 9.40am this morning (Saturday 25 April) to reports of a fire at a property in Reedling Close, in Stapleton.
"The ambulance service was called and a woman was taken to hospital as a precaution.
"We are treating the incident as suspicious but believe it to be an isolated matter."
