A number of residents, including elderly people, were moved from their homes by police after a an oil tank was set fire close to a block of flats in Carnhill in Derry earlier this morning.
Fire chiefs said it was lucky no one was killed in the incident which occurred at around 6.30am.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service district commander Barry McDowell said the quick response of firefighters prevented the loss of life.
Those moved out of their homes were taken to a rest centre at Templemore Sports Complex.
Fire appliances from Northland and Crescent Link stations attended the incident during which firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, searched and accounted for all residents in the flats.
Police have launched an investigation into the blaze and are appealing for information.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “An investigation has begun to determine the cause of the fire. Information can be given to the CID at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, information can be given to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
It is the second fire at flats in Carnhill in the past five months.
In November, a one-year-old baby was among 10 people rescued after a blaze which broke out at 6.00am.
Firefighters rescued six people, including a family with a one year old boy, who had become trapped.
Several other people, who were also trapped, were rescued from their flat windows while another four were able to make their own way to safety.
On that occasion, it is believed a large rug was set on fire in the stairwell of the building.
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