Oldbury arson suspect is released on bail
A man arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire at a house that left two people in hospital has been bailed.
Three men were pulled from the blazing mid-terraced home in Oldbury early on Saturday.
The 25-year-old suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.
One man was rescued by a neighbour who smashed a front door window after hearing screaming, while two others were saved by firefighters at around 3.50am.
Police spokesman Billy Corrigan today said initial inquiries suggested the fire started well inside the terrace house, which was sealed off while forensic investigators conducted an examination of the property on Saturday.
The fire caused severe smoke and flame damage throughout the property in Dudley Road.
Crews wearing breathing masks led one man to safety while another was rescued using a ladder that was pitched against the house.
All three casualties were treated at the scene before two were taken to hospital. One of these men, aged 51, was still recovering in hospital today, while another aged 39, has since been discharged.
The other man involved is aged 25. Initial reports were that the men had suffered potentially life threatening injuries but police today said none of the three had been seriously injured.
Watch commander Paul Harpin has now praised the actions of the neighbour.
Instinct
"This was a brave action from this man," he said. "He risked his own life to save that of another. He acted purely on instinct. The fact he raised the alarm was obviously a good thing."
Crews from Smethwick, Oldbury and Tipton attended the fire.
