A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after a fire ripped through a care home last night, killing an elderly resident in her 80s.

The blaze, in Edward Jobson Court, Canning Road, Croydon, started at around 6.40pm and forced the evacuation of residents of the care home to a local church.

A 33-year-old man from West Norwood was arrested this morning and remains in custody in a south London police station.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "At 6.40pm we were called to reports of a fire in Canning Road, Croydon.

"We sent an ambulance, a duty officer and a hazardous response team attended.

"One patient had sadly died and we assisted with the evacuation of the other residents."

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters were called to a residential accommodation on Canning Road in Addiscombe last night.

"Half of a ground floor flat was damaged by fire. A communal hallway on the ground floor was also badly damaged in the blaze.

"An older woman was found by firefighters and pronounced dead at the scene. Around 34 residents were led to safety by fire crews.

"Firefighters from Croydon, Woodside and Norbury fire stations attended the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation."