A MAN has appeared in court on arson charges after an early hours blaze at a block of flats in Boscombe.

Blake Colin Perren, 27 and of no fixed abode, appeared before Poole Magistrates' Court on Saturday, January 21, charged with one count of arson with intent to endanger life, one court of arson whilst being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and one count of possessing a class A drug.

It is alleged that, at around 1.40am on Friday, January 20, Perren deliberately started a fire at Grosvenor Gardens, in Boscombe, intending to destroy property and 'intending by the damage to endanger the life of another person'.

As reported, Dorset Police received a report at 1.42am on Friday, January, 20, of a fire at an address in Grosvenor Gardens. Officers attended alongside fire crews and the ambulance service.

Residents were evacuated, as well as those from neighbouring properties, and the road was closed to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident.

Perren was taken to hospital following the incident and treated for minor injuries - no one else was injured.

The defendant did not enter a plea to any of the charges and he was remanded into custody.

The case has been adjourned, with a plea and trial preparation hearing to be heard before Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, February 17.