A FIRE which forced six people to flee their homes was started by arsonists, police suspect. It is thought a push chair, placed in a communal area on the ground floor of a block of flats, in Althorne Way, Dagenham, was set alight. Four pumps were called

A FIRE which forced six people to flee their homes was started by arsonists, police suspect.

It is thought a push chair, placed in a communal area on the ground floor of a block of flats, in Althorne Way, Dagenham, was set alight.

Four pumps were called to the blaze at 11.14pm on Monday (October 26).

Three adults and three children had already escaped the fire when they arrived.

Paramedics treated one woman at the scene for smoke inhalation, before taking her to Queen's Hospital in Romford as a precaution. The others were unhurt.

The fire, which was under control by 11.54pm, badly damaged the communal staircase of the four-storey building.

Police have now launched an arson investigation.

DC Malcolm Young said: "Starting fires is a criminal offence. An entire block of residents were put at risk due to someone's reckless and stupid actions.

"This could very easily have been a murder investigation rather than arson. It also tied up the services of a number of Fire Brigade, Police and Ambulance Units."

Anyone with information about the incident should call DC Young on (020) 8217 5535 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.