Student arrested after Royal Holloway University fires Published duration 3 December 2016

image copyright Google image caption The fires were discovered in accommodation at the historic university in Egham

A student has been arrested on suspicion of starting a series of fires at a university.

It is believed several blazes were started deliberately in dormitories at Royal Holloway University, Surrey Police said.

Students were evacuated from the Grade I listed campus in Egham at around 20:00 GMT on Thursday.

A 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of carrying out arson with intent to endanger life.

He remains in hospital where he is being treated.

'Swift actions'

No-one else suffered injuries in the fires, the university said, although there was smoke damage to a bedroom and "minor damage" to some bathrooms and toilets.

There was "no damage to the historic Founder's Building", it said.

Prof Paul Layzell, principal of Royal Holloway, said he was grateful that, due to the "swift actions" of the security team and emergency services, no-one was injured.

"Our community came together quickly and calmly throughout the night to ensure that our students felt safe and supported," he said.

"We continue to support them and are working to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum," he added.