A WOMAN and an eight-month-old baby managed to flee a fire after neighbours helped them climb down from the balcony of a first-floor maisonette.

Kelly Farley was visiting Amanda Ratcliffe and her baby daughter, Jessica Louise, at their home in Windsor Drive, Kidderminster, when the blaze started at the weekend.

Police believe the fire, which broke out in the hallway of the building at around 9pm, was started deliberately.

The three had to run out on to the balcony.

Ms Farley, of York Place in Kidderminster, and Jessica were helped down from the balcony, but Ms Ratcliffe, aged 18, refused to climb down.

"One of the adults was reluctant to come down and stayed on the balcony," said Kidderminster Fire Station officer David Williams.

"A firefighter was sent up there with her while the fire was dealt with."

Crews from Kidderminster and Bewdley were called to the scene and quickly confined the blaze to the entrance hall.

"The fire was made up of coats and a child's push chair," said Mr Williams.

Using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel crews put out the blaze, and Ms Ratcliffe left by the front door.

The fire caused extensive smoke damage throughout the maison-ette owned by Wyre Forest Community Housing during the incident around 9pm on Saturday, July 6.

Ms Ratcliffe and Jessica are currently staying with relatives.

Fire and police investigation teams examined the scene and crews left shortly after midnight.

"A fire investigation team were called in to look into what caused the fire, but no cause has been reported," said Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade spokesman Alec Mackie.

"At this time the cause of the fire is uncertain and it is being treated as arson," said Martyn Coss, media liaison officer for Kidderminster Police.

"Police are carrying out a full investigation."

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888 or Crimestopppers on 0800 555111.