A WOMAN, a teenager and their pets were rescued by a brave passer-by from a house fire in the early hours of this morning (Monday) in Rowley Regis.

The blaze, which police believe was started deliberately, happened at a semi-detached house in Halesowen Street at around 2am.

Police said a man walking past spotted the fire at the front door and woke the occupants, who managed to escape.

A woman, aged 45, and a boy aged 16, were taken to Russells Hall Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. 

A spokesman for West Midlands Police, said the fire is being treated as arson.

Neighbours Yonas Yosief and Senait Geberhiwet, whose property joins onto the home, spoke of their shock at being woken in the early hours by shouting and sirens. 

Yonas, aged 37, said the couple's five-year-old son was sleeping in the front bedroom near the blaze.

He said: "It was frightening. We could see the flames through the window.

"We heard the sirens and went out into the back garden.

"The lady from next door had jumped from the bedroom window. 

"There were lots of people around and shouting.

"We're just glad everyone's okay."

Neighbour Jonathon Brown, aged 49, said: "I have seen a woman and a teenage boy at the house.

"It's really shocking what's happened. To have something like this on your doorstep is not nice."

Meanwhile scores of people praised the passer-by on Facebook - with users on the Blackheath and Rowley page hailing him a hero for saving the lives of the occupiers.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Police are investigating a fire at an address on Halesowen Street in Blackheath that happened in the early hours of this morning (Monday 24 June).

"The alarm was raised by a passer-by at 2am.

"He spotted the fire at the front door and woke the occupants, who managed to escape.

"A woman in her 40s and a teenage boy were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

"The fire is being treated as arson. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

A cat and a dog were given oxygen at the scene by firefighters.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "The RSPCA was called to assist with the welfare of the animals while the occupiers are in hospital."

The spokesman said the cause of the fire was under investigation and West Midlands Police were involved. 

Crews from Haden Cross and Woodgate Valley stations attended the fire, which is thought to have started in the lounge. 

West Midlands Fire Service tweeted about the incident saying: "Crews from Woodgate fire and Haden crossfire are currently in attendance at a house fire in Rowley Regis.

"Two people and a cat have been rescued from the property."

Anyone with information contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime quoting 20DY/148936K/19.