A YOUNG couple who had to flee their flat in the middle of the night have spoken of the terrifying moment they managed to escape from an arson attack which left one woman in a critical condition and eight others injured.

Police and fire are investigating the cause of the blaze which is being treated as arson by police.

Chelsea Nurdin, 23, was at the flat of her boyfriend David Hill, 25, who lives on the hallway where the fire started at about 1am at flats in Waiblingen Way, Devizes. They were alerted by a smoke alarm from a neighbouring flat.

Miss Nurdin said: "At first I thought it was just someone burning something they were cooking. But I went outside and there was black smoke. I was terrified. I ran back inside and rang 999 and I was told emergency services were on their way.

"Smoke had started to come into our flat so we decided to try and climb out the window. I was absolutely petrified. When I got outside I was just in shock. We have three cats and I was worried about leaving them but I knew they would be petrified with what was going on. Luckily they are all fine. One of them Evie did escape outside when the door was opened but we managed to find her.

"We were allowed back in the flat to get some clothes and to feed the cats but I don't know when we will be allowed to go home."

Her partner Mr Hill said: "I was just glad that we managed to get the window open as they often stick. It was very scary and we were just happy to get out.

"But I don't feel safe living here anymore. I have been here ten months and there have been six fires."

The couple said they think the fire was set deliberately by someone who set fire to a sofa which had been left in a stairwell next to their flat.

In the summer there were a number of arson attacks on bin stores in the same area of Waiblingen Way.

The woman, who was seriously hurt, is middle-aged and believed to live with a partner in a ground floor flat next to Mr Hill's home.

A police spokesman said: "The fire is believed to have started in a communal area.

"At this stage, we believe nine people have been injured as a result of the fire, including one woman who has suffered serious injuries. She is currently being treated at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and is in a critical condition.

"The fire was extinguished by 2.25am and a joint investigation with the fire service and Wiltshire Police has now begun to determine the cause of the fire.

Det Insp Helen Jacobs said: “Although we are very much at the early stages of our investigation, we are treating this incident as arson and we will be conducting multiple enquiries today to identify the exact circumstances.

“If you witnessed any suspicious activity in the Waiblingen Way area before 1am this morning, you may be able to help with our enquiries so please do get in touch.”

A fire service spokesman said: "At approx 1.08am this morning (17th December 2019) fire control operators received the first of numerous calls to report a fire in a block of flats in Waiblingen Way, Devizes.

"Firefighters from Devizes (x2), Melksham, Calne, Trowbridge (x2) and Chippenham attended this incident, approximately 35 firefighters.

"Control room staff were able to give fire survival guidance to multiple callers and guide firefighters to those properties where residents were trapped or unable to evacuate. Firefighters were then able to rescue multiple occupants from their flats.

"Crews extinguished the fire by 2.25am. A joint investigation with Wiltshire Police, into the cause of the fire, has begun."

Call 101 and quote log number 13 of December 17.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.