THREE families were forced from their homes during the early hours following a suspected arson attack.

An unoccupied flat in Simonside Walk, Middlesbrough, was torched at around 3am this morning.

Neighbours ensured everyone was out of the building by kicking down a flat door to rescue a family with a baby.

Everyone managed to escape from the blaze unharmed.

But the victims were forced to spend the rest of the night with friends and relatives, leaving behind their smoke damaged homes and their newly opened Christmas presents.

Police cordoned off the building but a smoke alarm continued to sound from the blackened building.

Fire crews in three appliances, plus a hydraulic platform, were sent to the scene.

Grangetown fire station watch manager Ian McHugh said: "We got there soon after three o'clock and found a severe fire in a ground floor flat.

"It was unoccupied but there were three others occupied. The smoke alarms were going off and everybody got out. There was a definite risk to life.

"I sent in four breathing-set wearers to deal with the fire and we had to kick in the door of one flat to ensure nobody was inside.

"Police and our arson investigation team are looking at it."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed the blaze was under investigation.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and was being interviewed by police last night (WEDS).