A MAN and his Jack Russell dog had a lucky escape from their first floor flat after a fire which was caused in a suspected arson attack.

Police and firefighters were called to the flat in Break Back Road, in the Rockhill area of Bromsgrove, in the early hours of last Thursday morning after receiving a call from a man saying that a blaze had started in his flat.

Two fire engines from Bromsgrove arrived at the scene to find the man had extinguished most of the fire, although he was taken to the Alexandra hospital in Redditch after suffering smoke inhalation.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service spokesman Alec Mackie said an investigation was underway and the incident was being treated as "suspicious".

He added that the man was in a distressed state when he called the fire brigade.

"A man called to say that his flat was on fire, and he was very distressed," he said.

"Our fire control operator managed to try and keep him calm. On their arrival, firefighters found that the man had succeeded in extinguishing the fire in the foreway of his flat.

"He was extremely worried about his pet Jack Russell who was in the bedroom. Firefighters made sure that everyone else in the block was OK."

PC Lisa Brothwood, from Bromsgrove police, said it was likely that the fire was started deliberately.

"Initial inquiries suggest this fire was started deliberately and we are appealing for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area late on Wednesday night into Thursday morning to give us a call."

Anyone with information should call Bromsgrove police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

by Dan Harrison