Man and youths questioned after blaze in Britain
Police were today questioning a 41-year-old man and two youths following a flat fire which left three youngsters needing hospital treatment.
West Yorkshire Police said two girls aged 17 and 14 and a 12-year-old boy were rescued from a flat in Lea Farm Drive in the Hawksworth area of Leeds in the early hours of this morning.
The youngsters were trapped in an upstairs flat at the property but firefighters extinguished the blaze and rescued them.
A force spokeswoman said the youngsters were taken to Leeds General Infirmary and treated for smoke inhalation.
The two girls were released after treatment although the boy was being kept in hospital for the treatment of minor burns to his upper body.
The spokeswoman added: "Initial investigations at the scene revealed the fire to be malicious.
"Further inquiries have led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man and two 16-year-old youths. All three are in police custody and will be questioned later today."
Police are urging a teenager who was seen walking away from the house at the time of the fire to contact officers.
Although he is not thought to be involved with the blaze, he could be a vital witness, the spokeswoman added.
Emergency services were called to the property shortly after midnight.
