Belfast blaze: Mother forced to drop baby from first-floor window

A woman in Belfast was forced to drop a 14-month-old baby from a first-floor window in order to escape a house fire, it has been reported.

The baby was caught by a neighbour waiting below, BBC Northern Ireland reported.

The occupants of the house - a couple and two young children - were treated for smoke inhalation but escaped serious injury.

The incident occurred at around 4am this morning in Rathcoole, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

Police are treating the fire as malicious and have appealed for information.

Fire service group commander Paul Coyle said the neighbour undoubtedly saved lives.