Emergency crews from Wakefield were called to a property on Silver Street in the Newton Hill area just after midnight and managed to put out the blaze with a single hose reel.
A family of three and their pet dog managed to escape the house unharmed.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to an address on Silver Street in the Newton Hill area at 00:12am this morning, where the fire service was in attendance.
“A 20 year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of arson.”