POLICE have launched an arson investigation following a fire in the hallway of a first- floor Kidderminster flat which left two women and a baby trapped.

A ground-floor neighbour helped one of the women and the baby escape from the balcony by climbing stacked-up wheelie bins, while the child's mother was too scared to climb down and eventually left through the front door after firefighters had tackled the fire in the hall.

The drama unfolded at Windsor Drive at 9.15pm on Saturday. Two fire engines from Kidderminster and one from Bewdley were called to the scene.

Tenant Amanda Ratcliffe, 18, and her eight-month-old daughter Jessica are staying with relatives as the fire caused "extensive" smoke damage to the Wyre Forest Community Housing-owned maisonette.

Visiting friend Kelly Farley, of York Place, Kidderminster, had climbed down from the balcony with help from the neighbour who had also taken the baby.

A police spokesman said the cause of the blaze, which firefighters managed to confine to the hallway, was uncertain but added it was being treated as arson and an investigation has been launched.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.