Man in court following Stoke-on-Trent house fire

A man has appeared in court charged with arson after five people were rescued from a house fire.

Kevin Colin Waltho, 36, of Catharine Road, Stoke-on-Trent, was charged after fire crews were called to Lightwood Road in the city early on Monday.

He was remanded in custody at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court and is due to appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 14 June.

Mr Waltho has also been charged with possession of a bladed weapon.

Four adults and a teenager were rescued on Monday and four of them were taken to hospital for precautionary checks and later released.