Police release three over flats blaze

THREE people have been released under investigation after a suspected arson attack outside a block of flats.

Firefighters helped to rescue families after the fire broke out on Oak Square in Teams, Gateshead, and filled homes with smoke.

Seven fire engines with a total of 36 firefighters were called at around 4.30am on Friday and helped nine people escape the fire.

Four were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead suffering from smoke inhalation.

Two men and a female were arrested on suspicion of arson but have since been released under investigation.

Damaged windows in the two storey-building have since been boarded up and cordons were put in place to seal off a gas main which was damaged in the fire.

The Gateshead Housing Company and officers from Gateshead Council were on site on Friday helping those who were unable to return to their flats.

A dad told how he was forced to flee his fire-hit home with his young son in the early hours of the morning.

The 34-year-old, who asked not to be named, 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 my window and saw the flames. I got my son up straightaway because below my son’s room was on fire. You just go into survival mode.”