Families forced to escape flats fire through windows
THREE people are being questioned over a suspected arson attack at a block of flats.
Residents were forced to flee their homes after the blaze broke out on Oak Square, in Teams, Gateshead, during the early hours of Friday morning.
Emergency crews were called to the housing association block at around 4.30am.
Police said nine residents were evacuated from the building and four needed hospital treatment.
Detectives are still working with firefighters to establish how the blaze started.
However, a Northumbria Police spokesman confirmed that the fire was being treated as arson, and three people have been arrested.
A force spokesman said: “At around 4.35am on Friday police received request for assistance at a fire on Oak Square in Gateshead. Emergency services attended the scene and nine residents were evacuated from a residential block of flats. Four people were taken to hospital and are being treated for smoke inhalation. None of the injuries are understood to be life-threatening. “Enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what has happened. However, the fire is currently being treated as suspected arson. Police have arrested two males and one female in relation to their investigation. They are currently in police custody.” On Friday morning a police cordon was in place around the blackened block. Firefighters remained at the scene as police carried out houseto-house enquiries. Meanwhile a dad told how he was forced to flee his fire-hit home with his young son. The 34-year-old, who the
POLICE ARREST THREE ON SUSPICION OF ARSON All I was thinking was that I had to get the bairn out of there. I didn’t know what was going on
Chronicle has agreed not to name, said he and his seven-year-old boy had to make their escape via an upstairs balcony, after discovering his front door was on fire.
He said: “It was like your worst nightmare, not knowing if you can get out. I just woke up and saw lots of flames. I couldn’t get out my front door so I had to get off my balcony. Me, my son and my girlfriend were in the flat. We all had to get off the balcony and the fire brigade were there.
“All I was thinking was that I had to get the bairn out of there. I didn’t know what was going on.
“I just woke up, looked out of my window and saw the flames. I got my son up straight away because below my son’s room was on fire. You just go into survival mode.”
Another resident said he was woken by a neighbour who told him the flats were on fire. He said: “I just heard my neighbour banging on the door. I could see black smoke and flames and there were some kind of explosions.”
■ Police are still appealing for information about the fire. Witnesses are asked to call police on 101 quoting ref 130 22/06/18.