Neighbours flee in Brierley Hill arson attack

Frightened residents were forced to flee their terraced homes after an arson attack today. Flames 20ft high tore through the roof of the property in Bent Street, Brierley Hill.

About 20 neighbours fled the row of six terraced houses at about 5.30am amid fears the fire would spread through the attics.

Parents stood with babies to watch as about 20 firefighters tackled the blaze.

No-one was living in the property at the time.

The blaze, which began upstairs in a back bedroom, is being treated as arson, said watch manager David Foley, of Brierley Hill Fire Station.

Today there was a large hole in the roof and loose tiles were still falling on to the ground below. Some residents were still waiting to be let back into their homes.

Mark Flynn, 49, banged on neighbours' front doors when he saw the blaze.

"I just acted as quickly as I could and made sure everyone got out," he said.

Vicky Gallagher, 19, who has two daughters aged one and two, lives next door to the fire-hit house.

She said: "I was so scared. I had to just grab the kids and get out of there.

"The kids' bedroom was full of smoke and I'm just glad they're okay."