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| Kidderminster fire: 'Arson' leaves 'mother and son' critical | Kidderminster fire: 'Arson' leaves 'mother and son' critical |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A woman and a boy believed to be mother and son are critically ill following a suspected arson attack in Kidderminster. | A woman and a boy believed to be mother and son are critically ill following a suspected arson attack in Kidderminster. |
| Firefighters were called to a flat over the Dress 4 Less shop in Horsefair at about 22:00 GMT on Thursday. | |
| The fire is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is under way, West Mercia Police said. | The fire is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is under way, West Mercia Police said. |
| Robert Marsh, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the pair were believed to be mother and child. | Robert Marsh, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the pair were believed to be mother and child. |
| An eyewitness, known only as George, said: "We heard a bang, had a look and there was a big cloud of smoke. We went up the road and there were people everywhere and police. | |
| "The firemen came out with a woman and were resuscitating her for I don't know how long. Then they got either a girl or boy out, maybe seven or eight or even younger than that." | |
| He said residents were shocked, and one person who witnessed the incident collapsed. | |
| The rescued woman was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and the boy to Birmingham Children's Hospital. | |
| Two other people were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Worcester Hospital, where their conditions were described as "not serious". | Two other people were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Worcester Hospital, where their conditions were described as "not serious". |
| Neighbours were moved out of their homes following the fire. | Neighbours were moved out of their homes following the fire. |
| Nick Cadman, North Worcestershire Fire Commander, described the rescue operation as "significant" and praised his team's prompt work in stopping the spread of the fire to other homes and shops. | |
| Supt Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: "We would like to thank everyone in the surrounding area for their support and patience while we manage and investigate this incident." |