Three people were rescued today from a fire at a block of flats in east Belfast that may have been started deliberately.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus were able to lead the three to safety through smoke after other residents escaped from the block of six flats in in Grace Avenue.
The Fire and Rescue Service said officers were on their way to the blaze, which started in the stairwell of the block, when they got a second call to say people were trapped.
A spokesman said: "Our operator was able to keep them on the line, talking to them continually, and reassure them what to do."