POLICE are treating a house blaze in which two people had to be rescued as arson.

Investigators believe the fire was started deliberately on the stairs of the boarded-up house in Hind Street, Parkfield, Stockton.

The man and woman, who are thought to have been squatting in the house, were treated at North Tees University Hospital, Stockton, for the effects of smoke inhalation.

The alarm was raised when shouts were heard from the upper floor of the house and firefighters had to use a ladder to rescue the pair.

Thornaby Watch Manager Martin Holden said: "The property was boarded up and is going to be demolished. There were two people living on the first floor - a man and woman in their 20s.

"I don't know if you'd call them squatters, but they only had access through a back door.

"The fire started on the stairs, so we got them out of a first-floor window by ladder.

"The man had cuts from breaking off the boarding off the front window and both had smoke inhalation. The fire was confined to the stairs. It is being treated as arson and is being investigated by police."

Anyone who has information relating to the fire is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 302226 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.