A couple and their three-year-old daughter were rescued from their home after it was targeted in a suspected arson attack.
Flames engulfed the front door of the flat on Bamburgh Close, in Oxclose, Washington, after an accelerant was pushed through the letter box.
The family of three had to be rescued from a first floor window by firefighters during the terrifying ordeal.
Thankfully, all three managed to escape uninjured.
Emergency services were called just before 1.30am on Thursday to the home.
Neighbours on the street described being woken up by smoke alarms in the early hours of the morning.
Nataliya Rtdeliashvili, 59, said: “The alarms went off so we knew there was something going on.
“We got up and there was so much smoke - we couldn’t breathe so we opened all the windows and doors.
“We could see the firefighters had put a ladder to the first floor window and a man, woman and young child got out.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I was asleep in bed and I heard the fire engines at about 1.45am.
“When I looked out I could see them taking the ladders off and someone was holding a bairn.
“They left at about 2.30am, when the fire had all been put out.”
Another neighbour said a forensics team had attended the home later that morning to examine the scene.
She said: “I woke up to my phone going off and people were saying there was something going on.
“There were police cars, ambulance and fire engines outside.
“They’re a really quiet family - you never hear anything.”
Two fire engines from Washington and Birtley stations arrived and firefighters rescued the three people who were trapped on the first floor.
All three were treated by paramedics but did not need to go to hospital.
Northumbria Police is investigating the fire, which was believed to have been started deliberately.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “The fire is being treated as arson and police are appealing for witnesses.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 66 210917 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Several teams of paramedic were also called with two hazardous area response teams, a rapid response car, a senior paramedic and an ambulance dispatched.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Three patients were treated and discharged on the scene.”
