AN investigation is under way after a couple and their baby were forced to flee from a burning pub.
The manager of The Roseworth, in Stockton, his wife, their baby son and the assistant manager ran from the building after hearing the fire alarm in the early hours of yesterday.
It is believed one of the pub windows was smashed and something thrown into the lounge.
A police spokesman said they are investigating the fire, and treating it as a suspected arson attack.
Station Officer Ralph Nicholson, from Stockton Fire Station, attended the scene.
He said: "There were four people inside when a severe fire broke out in the lounge.
"Fortunately, the manager was awoken by the alarm. He then woke his wife and child and the assistant manager.
"If he hadn't woken up we might have had multiple fatalities. They were very, very lucky. The building was severely smoke-logged and full of thick, acrid fumes."
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