FIREFIGHTERS rescued two young women and a rabbit from a blazing flat complex in Widnes after an arson attack on the flat below.

A fire was started in a second floor flat in the three-storey building in Sharp Street when arsonists kicked the door in, scattered clothing on the floor and set light to it.

Widnes fire brigade were called in by police at 10.45am and spent more than an hour fighting the fire.

The two girls were trapped in their flat by the dense and acrid smoke emanating from below.

Two search and rescue officers went in to save the girls and their rabbit.

Neither was injured, although one of the women was checked at the scene by paramedics.

The owner of the targetted flat was not at home at the time of the fire.

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