A 69-YEAR-old man has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act following his arrest in connection with a house fire near Westbury.
The fire, which is being treated as arson, occurred at a bungalow in Hawkeridge.
Police believe the property was daubed with white paint before being set on fire shortly before 5am.
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By the time eight Wiltshire fire vehicles arrived the building was engulfed in flames.
Police arrested a local man at the scene, who was then taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath after sustaining self-inflicted injuries to his neck and throat.
The man was on police bail at the time, having been previously arrested on March 26 in connection with an assault.
After being released from hospital the man began to help police with their inquiries at Melksham police station. He has since been sectioned to an unknown hospital. Police confirmed he is on bail pending further inquiries.
Neighbour Margaret Stockley, 63, witnessed the fire and took photos on her digital camera.
She told the Wiltshire Times: "I was woken by a neighbour who called me at about 5.20am, but another neighbour who lives at the top of the road said the fire started at about 4.30am.
"All of a sudden it just went up and huge flames were everywhere."
Westbury's deputy mayor Mike Hawkins said he was shocked at the news.
He said: "Knowing the area and the people involved I'm saddened by this tragic story.
"I hope that the person will make a full recovery and I'm sure the police will do all they can to ascertain the correct information."
A family member who was at the bungalow on Friday afternoon refused to comment about the incident.
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