A FORMER drug dealer trying to forge a new life for himself says a fire outside his flat was deliberately started to drive him and his family out of their Warndon home.

Darren Goode's heavily pregnant wife Pauline and two young children were rescued by firefighters after the blaze broke out in rubbish bags piled near their front door in Ennerdale Close.

Mrs Goode, who is eight months pregnant, woke her husband around 11.30pm on Saturday because she could smell burning.

"I came downstairs to check. When I opened the letter box the smoke knocked me back," said Mr Goode.

Piling washing up against the door to block out the smoke, the 27-year-old woke his family and got out of the flat to raise the alarm.

Three fire engines arrived on the scene, and firefighters escorted Mrs Goode and carried sons Oliver, nine months old, and James, aged 8, out of the flat.

All three were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics.

As a precaution, 12 people were evacuated from the block of flats.

Clive Alford, who lives on the second floor, said he had been unaware that something was wrong until he heard the fire engines and opened his front door to firefighters.

"You couldn't see anything," he said. "There was smoke everywhere."

The evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes after midnight.

"I've been up all night cleaning but you just can't get the smell of smoke out of things," said Mr Goode.

Among the items damaged were a new carpet and equipment bought for the baby.

Fortunately, nobody was injured including Smudge, the cat the family had bought earlier that day.

Mr Goode is convinced the fire was started deliberately and says he has been persecuted and threatened because he has a criminal record for dealing drugs.

"I've done my time, but this feels like I'm serving another sentence," he said. "It's sickening. I feel wounded."

Police are treating the incident as arson. Anyone with information should contact Worcester police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.