Police in Ceredigion are treating a fire that ruptured a mains gas supply after it was started outside a property as arson.
Firefighters were first called to Castle Street, on the way into Cardigan town centre, just after 3.30am on Tuesday morning.
The front of one home on the street sustained fire damage after the blaze was started in a refuse bin outside the property.
It also ruptured a mains gas supply, leading to the evacuation of several homes.
Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze and helped to disperse the gas until the arrival of the gas board, remaining at the scene until almost 5.30am.
Police, however, remain at the scene more than 11 hours later, while a 50-metre cordon has been set up to allow forensic examinations to take place.
The incident is being treated as arson and police want to speak to anyone who was in the Castle Street area during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Detective Inspector Richard Yelland, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “We know that there were a number of people in the area at the time the fire started and I would appeal to them to get in touch. I am also very grateful for the patience of the local community while Castle Street is closed.”
Police also confirmed that nobody was injured as a result of the fire.
If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101.
