Woman, boy, cat and dog rescued after arson attack at Black Country house
Two people, a cat and a dog were rescued after a suspected arson attack at a house in the Black Country.
Firefighters helped a woman in her mid-40s and a 16-year-old-boy from a first-floor window after a passer-by spotted the "severe fire" and raised the alarm at around 2am today.
The woman and boy suffered smoke inhalation and were both taken to Russells Hall Hospital, while the cat and dog were given oxygen therapy by firefighters.
West Midlands Fire Service sent two crews from Haden Cross and Woodgate to the scene in Halesowen Street, Blackheath.
A spokesman for the fire service said: "This was a severe fire which involved the lounge of a semi-detached house.
"Around 20 per cent of the house was damaged by fire and all the property was damaged by smoke.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using hose-reel jets tackled the fire.
"A woman believed to be in her mid-40s was assisted from a first-floor window by firefighters as well as a 16-year-old boy.
"Both of them were suffering smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
"A cat and dog were also rescued and given oxygen by firefighters.
"The RSPCA was requested to attend for the animals' welfares and West Midlands Police is looking at the circumstances surrounding the incident."
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Jamie Arrowsmith said: "At 2.07am we were called by the fire service to reports of a property fire.
"One ambulance and one paramedic officer attended.
"We treated a woman and a teenage male. The teenager was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Russells Hall.
"The woman was treated for multiple injuries, which were not believed to be serious, and taken to Russells Hall hospital."
A police spokesman confirmed the fire is being treated as arson and said no arrests have been made.
"Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime quoting 20DY/148936K/19," they added.
