Five children need treatment after arson attack in Liverpool

by Luke McGovern. Published Thu 02 Sep 2010 19:27, Last updated: 2010-09-03

A man was being quizzed by police after a suspected arson attack on a house in North Liverpool.

Five children from an adjacent property needed hospital treatment for the effects of breathing-in smoke

Fire crews were called uilsted Road, Norris Green at 5:45am to tackle a blaze that severely damaged one terraced house.

The building was unnoccupied at time but members of a neighbouring family - including four children aged eight, six, four and three - were taken to Aintree Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

A 14-month-old baby from another address, and a 40-year-old man, were also treated for the effects of smoke.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "A 21-year-old male was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident."

Fire crews attanded the scene for more than an hour in the busy residential area.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said smoke alarms had played a vital role in the incident.

The spokesman said: "Fire Service smoke alarms were fitted to the property and alerted residents to the fire next door.

"The ground floor of the terraced property was severely damaged by fire and the first floor was engulfed in smoke.

"No smoke alarms were fitted in the property where the blaze was situated."