FOUR pensioners, including a 101-year-old, had a lucky escape after being trapped in their homes by arsonists.

Three women, aged 66, 81, and 101, and an 88-year-old man were trapped by the fires on the porches of their homes in Columbia, Washington, Wearside.

Wheelie bins which had been set alight had been put against their front doors.

Fire crews were called after one of the elderly residents awoke shortly after 2am.

They put out the fires and led the four to safety. All were given oxygen, but none needed to go to hospital.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "If the 81-year-old had not raised the alarm when she did within a matter of minutes it could have been a very different story.

"There is glass behind the porch and it doesn't take a very great temperature for glass to shatter.

"Once the glass shattered the fire would have spread into the properties and it could have been horrendous because the front door was their only means of escape.

"At their age they would not have been able to climb through the window."

Police forensic experts yesterday sealed the area for investigations.

Other fires were dealt with in Park Chare and Emerson Terrace, again where wheelie bins were put against doors.

Police believe all six incidents are linked.

A police spokesman said a 21-year-old man had been arrested. He was last night helping detectives with their inquiries.