RESIDENTS fled a block of flats in the night after arsonists started a fire.

The blaze flared up in a flat that was being used as a squat in Chickerell Road, Weymouth, early yesterday, fire chiefs said.

No one was injured in the fire, which is being treated as arson.

Residents of the block of flats, opposite Baycliffe Road, left their homes as thick smoke was seen coming from the property.

A fire service spokeswoman said a call had been received just after 2am.

“Two crews were on the scene within four minutes and found a ground floor flat well alight.

“The flat was being used as a squat and the cause is believed to be deliberate. Investigations are being carried out by Dorset Fire and Rescue and Dorset Police.”

Residents said they believed the flat, which is owned by Synergy Housing, had been sublet by a tenant.

One neighbour, Heather Sutton, pictured left, said: “There was a man living there until October last year, then he disappeared and there was a woman living illegally there.

“I was told by one of the firemen that they got an anonymous call from a phone box.”

She added that she had left the building around 2am with her daughter and granddaughter, who also live in the building.

“It’s not very good, especially with young children around. It makes you feel unsafe in your own home. There was masses and masses of thick black smoke.”

She said police did not leave the scene until around 6am.

Linda Taylor, another tenant, said: “The blue flashing lights outside the window woke me up and I went to see what was going on.

“I heard that there had been people squatting there.”

A nother resident, who did not wish to be named, praised the act-ions of the police and fire officers.

She said: “I heard the fire alarm go off and the fire engines were here really quickly.

“The smoke was really black but they had it under control within minutes. They were fantastic.”

Investigations are still being carried out into the cause of the fire.

A Dorset Police spokesman said officers attended after being alerted by Dorset Fire and Rescue.

He said: “We were called just before 3am to the fire in a lower ground floor flat, which was out when police arrived.

“No persons were reported to be inside and the flat was unoccupied and devoid of furniture.”

• A SPOKESMAN for Synergy Housing said: “There was a fire at the flat but no one was injured.

“It is not known if the property was vacant or if anyone was living there at the time. The damage was internal only and we are waiting for the report from police and fire authorities.”