Police on Friday arrested a Limassol couple in connection with insurance fraud after their house was deliberately torched in December while they were abroad.

The fire broke out just before midnight on December 26, while the couple, 47 and 45, were on a trip abroad with their children.

The fire caused extensive damage to the home in Episkopi and a family car.

It had been determined at the time that the house was burgled. The 47-year-old claimed that a safe containing €180,000, jewellery, and two watches valued at €30,000, had been stolen during the break in.

Police arrested a 40-year-old Paphos resident who has been held in remand since and issued an arrest warrant for a 23-year-old.

Limassol CID officers on Friday arrested the couple after securing evidence they could be involved in the arson in a bid to defraud the insurance.

The pair are expected to appear before a court on Saturday.