Four rescued from 'suspicious' blaze

POLICE were today investigating a suspicious fire after four residents were rescued from a block of flats in the early hours of this morning.

Fire crews were called to the four-storey building in Muirhouse Grove after a blaze in the doorway of a top-floor flat left three occupants trapped at around 4am.

Eight firefighters wearing breathing gear managed to lead two occupants trapped in the flat to safety, but had to use a hose to clear a path before getting to a third trapped resident.

The three occupants, a woman and two men in their early 20s, were checked over by paramedics at the scene, a spokeswoman for the fire service said.

A man in his 50s was also rescued from a neighbouring flat by the firefighters. The ambulance service said two of the occupants were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the suspected fire-raising to contact them.