A woman jumped to safety from a first-floor window as fire threatened to engulf a block of flats in Perth at the weekend.
The woman made her dramatic escape early on Saturday after a pram was set alight in a common close in Glengarry Road, filling the block with thick black smoke.
Another adult and a child had to escape through the window of a ground-floor flat, while an elderly resident had to be assisted from the building.
No one was seriously hurt, although the woman from the first-floor flat was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary for treatment to injuries sustained in her fall.
The emergency services were alerted shortly after 12.30 by calls saying people were trapped in the building. Three fire appliances were on the scene within six minutes, along with police and ambulance crews.
The fire, which was traced to a pram and blankets left in the close, was quickly located and extinguished.
Although small, the blaze produced thick black smoke which filled the whole stairwell and had to be cleared by firefighters.
The block was empty on Sunday, but a resident of a neighbouring flat described the drama.
He said: “I looked out and it was like all hell had broken loose there were flashing blue lights everywhere and people who had obviously been taken from the flat were being treated.
“I can’t believe it was just a small fire it looked much worse at the time and the damage you can see today looks like it was much worse.
“You see what happened in London yesterday (link) and it just makes you glad everyone was okay. I’m just glad no one was hurt and hopefully we don’t find out this was started deliberately it will just put everyone on edge.”
Station manager Neil Kerr said: “Recently within Perth and across Tayside we have seen a number of serious fires, often attributable to ignition of items left within unsecured common closes and stairwell areas.
“Thankfully, on this occasion all the residents were alerted promptly by the activation of smoke alarms.
“Quick and efficient actions and good advice from fire control staff, fire crews and paramedics who attended this incident prevented the consequences from being far more serious.”
An investigation is under way to determine how the fire started, with vandalism suspected.
Mr Kerr said: “Recent incidents have highlighted a significant risk to occupants where items are either left or stored within common stairwells. Experience shows that such items are frequently targeted by fire-setters, compromising the safety of residents and resulting in significant damage to the building.
“Our advice is for occupants to ensure that no items are stored or left within common stairwells and closes. Such items should be kept secure within individual flats or locked away within storage areas provided.
“We are working in partnership with the police and housing associations to reduce this risk. However, tenants must accept their responsibility and comply with the advice given.”
He said the alarm was raised thanks to smoke alarms activating in the flats.
“I can’t praise the actions of those involved highly enough. This should serve as a stark reminder to the public of the dangers of fire within their homes and the need to have working and regularly-tested smoke alarms fitted.
“It also highlights the benefits of having a well- rehearsed fire action plan so people know how to act should they discover or are trapped by a fire in their home,” he added.