PEOPLE living in council flats targeted by arsonists twice this year said last night that they were living in fear of their lives.

Three people had to be evacuated from Rockcliffe House flats, in Scargill, Lascelles Park, Darlington, late on Monday, after a fire was started in the stairwell.

Anne Smith, 55, and Frances Bowart, 20, were rescued by firefighters after they were trapped by thick smoke in their second-floor flats.

Fred Jenkinson, 77, was also led to safety after being woken by firefighters knocking on his door.

Police are treating the blaze as a suspected arson. It is the second incident in less than 12 months.

In February, Mrs Smith raised the alarm after she saw smoke on the stairwell. Fire crews discovered that curtains on a landing had been deliberately set alight.

On Sunday night, she was in bed when she was woken by banging.

"I realised I could not breathe," she said.

"I jumped out of bed and ran to the door, but the handle was red hot. I couldn't open it.

"I ran to the kitchen window which is the only other way out, but I couldn't open it. I just felt sheer panic."

Next-door neighbour Miss Bowart had dialled 999 after being woken up by her smoke alarm.

Her boyfriend, Chris Collins, 24, said: "I had been at work and got back just as it was happening. I tried to get up the stairs to get to Frances but couldn't get through the smoke. All I could see was an orange glow."

Both women were rescued after firefighters fought their way through the smoke. Neither of them was hurt.

Mrs Smith and Mr Collins say they made repeated requests to Darlington Borough Council for smoke alarms on the staircase after the last incident.

They believe whoever started the fire got in through a door that they say they had asked the council to repair because it would not lock.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have not received any reports of damage to the door or requests for smoke alarms. The building does conform to current fire regulations, but we will happily listen to residents' concerns."

l A man was arrested and questioned by police in connection with the fire. He was released on bail until December 11.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call police on (01325) 467681.