A KIDDERMINSTER man has been arrested on suspicion or arson following a fire in which a woman and boy were injured.

A 41-year-old man from Kidderminster has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Officers from West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service launched an investigation following the fire in an apartment above a shop in the Horsefair area of the town. The fire was reported at 9.55pm yesterday (Thursday).

A 22-year-old woman and her five-year-old son were treated at the scene before being transferred to hospital. The woman was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the boy taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The woman’s condition is described as critical and the boy’s condition is described as serious but stable.

Two others were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Their condition is not described as serious. Horsefair and Radford Avenue down to the Ringway remain closed.

Officers from West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have launched an investigation following the fire in an apartment above a shop in The Horsefair, Kidderminster.

Robert Marsh, Area Manager for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “A woman and a boy, believed to be mother and child, were treated at the scene before being transferred to hospital."

Two others were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and taken to Worcester Hospital. Their condition is not described as serious.

Plans are being put in place to house people who will not be able to return to surrounding properties tonight.

Mick Cadman, North Worcestershire Fire Commander, said: “Fire crews responded promptly to the incident and rescued two casualties from the building. They worked with police and ambulance crews to treat the casualties at the scene before they were taken to hospital.

“This was a significant operation involving all the emergency services and our primary concern was the immediate safety of people involved in the incident. The prompt action of the officers also helped to limit the impact on residential and commercial properties in the surrounding area.”

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, from West Mercia Police, added: “We are currently treating this fire as suspicious and would appeal for anyone with information that may help with our investigation to contact us. The investigation will be led by a detective inspector and will involve investigators from the fire and rescue service and our scenes of crime officers. We would like to thank everyone in the surrounding area for their support and patience while we manage and investigate this incident.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident should call 101 and quote incident 0715s of November 27. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org