10 rescued from burning apartment block in Lisburn

Ten people have been rescued from a burning apartment block in Co Antrim following what police suspect was an arson attack.

The 10 were rescued by firefighters using ladders and breathing apparatus after the blaze broke out at the Flush Lodge apartments in the Laurel Grove area of Lisburn early this morning.

Firefighters said the trapped residents were hanging out of windows and shouting for help when they arrived.

Five of them were hospitalised as a result of smoke inhalation, but nobody was seriously injured.

The PSNI said it believed the fire was started deliberately in a first-floor apartment that was completely destroyed by the fire.