Four children aged 12, 10, eight and four are rescued from house fire after arson attack as police arrest man, 37, for attempted murder and woman, 29, for child neglect
- Officers were called to Erdington around 2.30am following reports of house fire
- Four children, aged 12, 10, 8 and 4, were treated for smoke inhalation at hospital
- West Midlands Police said man, 37, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
- A 29-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of child neglect
A 37-year-old man has been arrested onsuspicion of attempted murder after four children were rescued from a severehouse blaze following an arson attack.
Emergency services were called after the infernobroke out at the property in Erdington, Birmingham at 2.30amthis morning.
Four girls aged 12, 10, eight and four, were rescued as the blaze ripped through the property.
A 37-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a woman, 29, has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
Both suspects remain in police custody being quizzed by officers.
West Midlands Police said a car was also recovered from the scene after it crashed into a stationary fire engine that was attending the blaze.
Four girls aged 12, 10, eight and four, were rescued as the blaze ripped through the property in Erdington, Birmingham
A 37-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a woman, 29, has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect
The fire affected 80% of the ground floor with 100% of the property affected by smoke
Five people were rescued from the home and West Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated four girls for the effects of smoke inhalation.
They are receiving further treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the spokesperson said.
Emergency services were called to the property at 2.25am on Friday and West Midlands Fire Service said 20 firefighters tackled the blaze, which has totally destroyed the property.
The fire service confirmed that the cause of the fire was arson.
West Midlands Police has now launched an investigation.
The force said: ‘A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder while a 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect. Both remain in police custody.
‘A car has also been recovered after it hit a stationary fire engine that was attending the house fire.
‘The house has been cordoned off whilst emergency services examine the scene to establish the cause of the fire.’
Five people were rescued from the home and West Midlands Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated four girls for the effects of smoke inhalation
The fire service said: ‘We have had four fire engines and 20 firefighters dealing with a severe house fire in Erdington.
‘The house has been totally destroyed by fire and we are currently investigating the cause. Five people have been rescued.’
The fire affected 80% of the ground floor with 100% of the property affected by smoke.
If you have any information, contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101 anytime. Quote crime reference 20BE/265248E/20. Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.