POLICE are investigating a fire thought to have been started deliberately in the stairwell at a block of flats.

Seven people had to be rescued by firefighters as thick black smoke prevented them reaching the front door after someone set alight carpet draped over the banister.

Afterwards, they were praised by firefighters for remaining in their rooms until help arrived.

However, firefighters pointed out the outcome could have been very different if the fire, on Friday afternoon, had happened at night when many of the residents of the council flats in Margaret Street, York, would have been asleep.