Firefighters were called after an attempt was made to torch an empty home.

Crews from Littlehampton and East Preston stations were called to a house in St Winefride’s Road in Littlehampton at 2.15am.

Firefighters said that inside the vandalised property there had been numerous attempts to start a fire with piles of paper on the first and ground floors but only one of the fires was still going when they arrived.

Crews initially responded to a “persons reported” inside the property but when they arrived the house was empty.

Firefighters used two high-pressured hose reels and six crew with breathing apparatus to deal with the incident which was then handed over to police.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “After a search of the area officers arrested five people on suspicion of burglary.

“They are two men aged 24, one man aged 20, one man aged 18 and a 15-year old girl, all from the local area.

“They are currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.”