LAST night's fire at a block of flats in Salisbury is suspected to be arson, police officers have revealed.
Despite no injuries caused, four people were rescued from the site along Blackfriars Way and three people were treated for smoke inhalation.
A number of the flats in the block in Tintern Court, The Friary, have been left uninhabitable as a result of fire and smoke damage, with some residents having to move into temporary accommodation.
Firefighters attended the blaze at around 10pm (July 25), which appears to have been deliberately started in the stairwell before spreading to the first floor and affecting three flats.
It was fully extinguished before the final fire crew left at around 1am.
READ MORE: Four people brought to safety as fire spreads through block of flats
Wiltshire Police is now appealing for the public’s help in tracing those responsible for suspected arson.
In particular, the force would like to speak to three young people who were seen in the vicinity shortly before the fire - two males and a female. One of the males was riding a white bicycle.
Despite "keeping an open mind in this investigation", DI Dean Garvin of CID said "all the signs point to the idea that this fire was started deliberately".
He said: “These flats contained elderly and vulnerable people. This fire put their lives at risk.
"If not for the swift actions of our colleagues in Fire and Rescue who extinguished this fire and evacuated residents, the potential consequences of this do not bear thinking about.
“I would urge those responsible to consider their actions, do the right thing and hand themselves in. We have a team of detectives working the case."
DI Garvin added: "I am confident we will find out who you are. Equally, if there is anyone who can help us with our enquiries into this incident, please contact us as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with information about this incident can call 101 quoting log number 54210072223.
To report anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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