DETECTIVES are investigating a deliberate blaze after 10 people were rescued from a fire in a block of flats.
Residents were trapped above a second-floor fire in the four-storey building in Glen Moy, in the St Leonards area of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue sent three appliances to the blaze after receiving a number of calls at about 3.30am yesterday.
Crews wore breathing apparatus to reach the householders before leading them to safety.
Group Commander Stephen Scott said: "This fire had trapped a number of people on the upper floors. However, the decisive actions taken by our firefighters when they arrived at the scene meant the danger was quickly averted, and those trapped inside could be led to safety."
Detective Inspector John Shaw, of East Kilbride CID, said: "This was a terrifying experience for the occupants of the flats, and made even worse by the fact early investigations have told us the fire was started deliberately.
"Thankfully, no-one was injured. However, if it was not for the swift action of the occupants and the emergency services then we may have been dealing with fatalities."
Officers carried out extensive investigations. Det Insp Shaw wants to speak to any witnesses who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the block at about 3.30am.
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