Six people have been rescued from a block of flats in Cambridgeshire after a fire broke out in a stairwell.
Fire crews were called to the flats in Green Road, Sawston, at 6.55pm on Sunday (May 20th).
Firefighters found that rubbish in the ground floor stairwell had been set alight and began tackling the flames with a hose reel.
Six residents had to be rescued from balconies, two of which were later treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) believe the fire was started deliberately, with local police now investigating the cause of the blaze.
Julian Fountain, station commander for CFRS said: “I would urge people living in flats to ensure that the corridors and stairwells are free from flammable items which could be tempting to a would-be arsonist.”
A ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.