AN 18-month-old child was rescued from a first-floor balcony and treated for smoke inhalation after an arson attack on a block of flats.

Courtney Skimming was carried to safety as her terrified mother and father watched on with their home rapidly becoming engulfed in smoke.

She was one of 18 people who had to be rescued from the flats in Styles Court in Sandys Road, Ombersley, near Worcester.

Three adults were also treated in hospital for the effects of smoke but, like Courtney, were discharged a few hours later. Dad Jon Reeves said: "I took a look out of the bedroom and there was thick black smoke swirling around really fast.

"You couldn't see anything and I was so scared for Courtney. She was really pale from the smoke so I wrapped my jacket around her and, although one fire engine was already there, I rang 999."

The fire, thought to have been started deliberately, broke out about 9.30pm.

Mr Reeves, aged 22, said he was terrified once he realised their only escape route, an outside staircase, was blocked by the flames and smoke.

He had to pass his daughter down a ladder from the first floor, and into the hands of neighbours.

"The smoke was so bad and I was frightened for her more than anything," he said.

"Neighbours and other people came with ladders and they slowly managed to bring people down to safety."

The fire started in a storeroom where rubbish bins and discarded furniture are kept.

Another resident, Deborah McRorie, was worried about her four-year-old daughter Eleanor.

"It was very traumatic," she said. "The concern is always for the children. There are quite a few here of pre-school age.

"There's no other fire escape apart from the stairway."

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This was definitely arson."

He added: "People who live in buildings with one stairwell, and where waste or large pieces of furniture are stored, should tell local authorities or housing associations to get rid of it. It's a public hazard, as we've witnessed here."

Police investigating have confirmed it was arson.

Cottage fire drama

Pensioners were smoked out of their homes when fire ripped through the thatched roof of their cottages.

The residents of the cottages next to the Anchor Inn on Main Road, Wyre Piddle, near Pershore, were in their homes when the thatch fire first took hold.

Keith and Eileen Attwood, both in their late 60s and Pete Bond, who is in his 70s, were able to get out safely.

Their neighbours formed a human chain to save their belongings from the flames.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to the village just after 9am yesterday.

At 1pm firefighters were still tackling the blaze.

David Bagnall, aged 59, of Church Street, Wyre Piddle, watched the chaos unfold.

He said: "It wasn't so bad this morning. They thought it was getting under control but the wind had picked up and made it worse.

"The road is completely blocked off. Cars have to drive around on the by-pass, which is usually just for coaches. We are waiting to get through and check on Keith and Eileen. They went to stay with their daughter in the morning."

A firefighter at the scene said it is believed the fire started as a result of a break in the chimney, although the cause is yet to be determined.