Two children and a woman were rescued from a burning Stevenage flat after an arson attack in the early hours this morning (Friday).

A man in his 40s jumped from the first floor window of a maisonette in Plash Drive to raise the alarm shortly before 1.45am as flames from the front door filled the flat with smoke.

Three fire crews raced to the scene where they found a woman, in her 30s and her children aged 10 and 14, as well as a dog trapped upstairs.

Fire fighters tackled the blaze and raised a ladder to a window to lead the occupants and the dog to safety. Paramedics attended to the family, who were unharmed.

Detective Sergeant Phoebe Butfoy, said Herts Police are treating the fire as deliberate.

“Thankfully no one was injured. The fire was only contained to the front door and porch, and the rest of the property suffered smoke damage. However, there could have been a very different outcome had the alarm not been raised so soon.

“We are actively seeking the perpetrator and I would request that anyone who believes they may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the offence or believes they witnessed what happened to contact police immediately.”

If you can help, call the non-emergency number, 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.