A LANDLORD and his daughter have been moved to a place of safety following three arson attacks on their pub.

Publican David Fitzpatrick and 17-year-old daughter, Laura, had to be rescued by firefighters using a ladder after finding themselves trapped on the first floor of the Station Hotel, Loftus.

The blaze, from which they were rescued yesterday, was the third fire in three days.

The first, on Sunday evening, was started next to a staircase outside the building and was put out by the landlord and another man, but was not reported.

Two more fires followed in the space of two hours early yesterday - both started in the pub cellar.

Mr Fitzpatrick said last night: "It has been a lot to cope with. I am just grateful the fire brigade were there and that me and my daughter got out of it.

"I would say it is not a matter of luck but good management, we had all the fire equipment; smoke detectors and fire doors in place. They have saved us."

Acting Detective Sergeant Nick Owen said: "We have forensic experts at the scene and we are investigating a number of lines of inquiry.

"We want to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity throughout the night and early hours of the morning," he said.

Police have been given a number of names of people who may have held a grudge against the pub manage- ment.

Fire divisional officer Bob Wood said crews confined both fires inside the building to the cellar - 80 per cent of which was fire damaged, and the first floor heavily smoke logged.

He said: "The premises were secured as best as possible, after the second fire, but the second time there was a forced entry by the person or persons responsible.

"The fire was set within the cellar in the opposite part to where the original fire was started, so we had two separate seats of fire.

"We are treating it as arson and it is being investigated."

Anyone who can help is aksed to telephone Cleveland Police on (01642) 326326