AN ARSON probe is underway after a fire which left a family and their dog trapped inside a first floor flat.

Neighbours heard the family’s screams through the walls as they desperately begged for help on Thursday morning.

The couple, who reportedly have a young child, ran into their bedroom to escape the blaze – started outside the main exit of their flat in High Road, Swaythling.

But rising smoke trapped the family in the room.

They were rescued by fire crews, who put out the blaze before entering the smoke-filled flat wearing ventilation masks.

The family were led out by firefighters and were then rushed to Southampton General Hospital to be treated for possible smoke inhalation.

However, they did not suffer injuries in the fire.

Now police have launched a probe into the incident, which they are treating as arson.

A spokesperson said: “We were called to High Road in the Swaythling just after 4am to a report of a fire.

“It had started at the rear of a business premises with a flat above, putting the lives of the residents in danger. It is being treated as arson.”

Several residents in High Road told the Echo how they were woken up on Thursday morning by flashing blue lights and blaring sirens.

Angela Amiri, who lives opposite the flat, which backs onto a tattoo shop, said: “I went into my bathroom to have a look.

“There were loads of police and firefighters.”

The mother-of-two, who has lived on High Road for 18 years, added: “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I could hear the screams through my walls.

“I think their dog saved them because he was barking.

“It happened at the back of the property and they couldn’t get out so they went into the bedroom.”

Police taped off an alleyway leading to the flat and neighbouring SYJU tattoo shop following the incident.

The Echo approached a member of staff at the scene, who did not wish to comment.

Police say they are linking the incident to two other fires on nearby Langhorn Road this week and have promised extra patrols in the area.

Anyone with any information should call 101, quoting 44180060263.