Escape and rescue after fire attack

A WOMAN had to leap from an upstairs window and another was rescued by firefighters from a blaze which police believe was started deliberately.

Emergency services were called to Carment Drive in Stevenston, Ayrshire, at around 2:30am yesterday, where they found the doors of two first-floor flats ablaze.

A 31-year-old woman leapt from a first-floor window while another, aged 34, was rescued by the fire service. Both were taken to hospital as a precaution but it is understood neither was seriously injured.

Strathclyde Police said an investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sommerville, of Saltcoats CID, said: “Fortunately, the two women who were in the property managed to get out without serious injury.

“At the moment we can find no motive for this wilful fire-raising.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Carment Drive area of Stevenston in the early hours of Saturday and who may have seen someone hanging around or seen or heard anything in any way suspicious to get in touch as soon as possible.

“I would further ask if anyone has any information on the person responsible for this fire to contact Saltcoats CID.”