Ten rescued from Co Antrim apartment fire

The PSNI is investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment block in Co Antrim that left five people requiring hospital treatment…

The PSNI is investigating the cause of a fire at an apartment block in Co Antrim that left five people requiring hospital treatment.

Ten residents were taken from the building by fire crews. Six suffered the effects of smoke inhalation, and five residents had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Trapped residents of the Flush Lodge apartments at Laurel Grove, in Lisburn, Co Antrim, were hanging out of windows shouting for help when firefighters arrived.

They were rescued by firefighters using ladders and breathing apparatus, said a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

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The first floor of the block was badly damaged, and the ground floor suffered smoke and water damage.

A police spokeswoman said it was suspected the fire was started deliberately in a first-floor apartment, which was destroyed by the blaze.

Forensic experts are to carry out a daylight search of the scene today.