A heroic spaniel saved her owner and fellow residents from an arson attack on the bock of flats they live in.

The blaze broke out at the back door of Edith Berry Court, only a few feet away from where Teresa Armstrong was sleeping in her ground-floor bedroom.

Miss Armstrong, who is 80 percent deaf and didn't have her hearing aid in, was alerted to the fire by three year-old Lola, and says as soon as she woke up, her bedroom was lit up by the flames.

The 62 year-old, who has lived in the age exclusive flats in Pickersleigh Road for two years, said: " My dog alerted it to me, she was barking and going mad about it.

"It's very scary to think that happened here. I couldn't believe what was happening, I just wanted to get out.

"My window was open at the time, and the flames soon caught the curtains. It's terrifying to think what could have happened had Lola not given me enough time to escape."

She grabbed Lola and rushed out of her bedroom, and alerted some of the other residents.

Miss Armstrong says the stairwell of the block, in Pickersleigh Road, was filled with smoke but the tenants of the four flats managed to escape onto the outside road- except for two on the upper floor, who remained trapped while firefighters tackled the fire.

They remained outside until 4am, when the fire was extinguished.

"There was so much smoke, and we were so worried for the couple upstairs, but thankfully they weren't harmed.

"I shouted to them, but they were too frightened to leave their room" she said.

Fellow resident Dave Pritchard said: "I was woken up by all the commotion, I couldn't believe what was happening at first."

A police spokeswoman confirmed they are treating the incident as arson, and also confirmed the residents had received threatening messages prior to the fire.

At its peak, the fire was licking the second-floor windows, as it caught hold of the wooden slats leading up to the roof.

It is also believed a fire was started in a bin in the garden too.

It is estimated to have caused around £6,000 worth of damage, as garden equipment such as tools and a barbecue were destroyed in the fire, as well as the damage to the building.

There were no injuries caused.

A 49 year-old man from Malvern has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent. He has been bailed until August 11.

Two fire engines from Malvern attended the scene, on Tuesday, 21, around 1.30am.

PC Dave Wise, of Malvern Safer Neighbourhood Team, confirmed extra patrols will be taken around the area and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with any information that could assist investigations is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 39 of 21 July.