Two people needed hospital treatment after a suspected firebomb attack on a flat.

A blaze swept through the ground floor property at 2.50am on Friday.

Two firemen with breathing apparatus went into the flat in Herbert Road, Clacton, after one of the occupants raised the alarm.

They rescued a man and a woman who were taken to Colchester General Hospital and treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. The man had also suffered a minor injury to a hand.

Traces of blood could be seen outside the the blackened semi-detached building on Friday.

Clacton fire brigade said the fire was being treated as suspicious. Fire and police investigators were due on the scene.

A fire spokesman said: "There was extensive damage to the downstairs front room where the fire started. Fortunately the door to the room was closed and there was only slight smoke damage upstairs.

"The people we rescued were in part of the building away from the main fire. It was put out quickly but obviously we were there for some time with police investigators."

Friday's blaze was the second suspicious fire in the area within a week. Last Sunday, two adults and two children were rescued from a blazing flat in Langham Drive, Clacton.

Clacton CID said Friday's fire would be fully investigated. At this stage the two fires are not being linked.

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