Detectives hunting the criminals behind a double arson attack on a block of flats have made an arrest after a new fire at the property.

Meanwhile it has emerged that the flats in North Place, Brighton - attacked more than ten times in the last 18 months - have no fire escape, alarm or working fire doors.

Tenants have accused their landlord, the Chichester Diocese Housing Association, running a "deathtrap".

A 46-year-old woman was detained after police were called to the latest blaze on the ground floor of the flats on Monday night.

A notice board in a shared hallway was found in flames, bringing the tally of attacks on the besieged block to three in just 24 hours.

The woman, who is thought to live close to the flats, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of arson with intent to cause harm.

Eva Christianson, who has lived in the block for a year, said: "I feel as if my life is in danger. There was nearly a huge tragedy here. The problems have got worse and worse and it seems like the housing association don't care. All I want is to be somewhere where I feel safe."

Graham Ennis, a close friend of one of the residents said: "The buildings just haven't been maintained properly. People living here haven't been given any protection. The place is like an ants' hill that is constantly being dropped on."

The housing association, which has been taken over by Hyde Housing, has also been criticised for leaving residents waiting for three days before clearing up the property in the wake of the fire.

Toxic smoke, released as plastic and rubber melted in the heat of the blaze, lingered in the building for three days, and broken glass and live wires litter the stairwells where children play.

Mr Ennis told the Argus: "The building is contaminated with dust. It isn't safe for people to live in these conditions. The place is full of children. They need to do something urgently."

A spokesman from Hyde Housing said: "Our residents' safety is of paramount importance. We will, of course, implement any recommendations from the fire brigade report as quickly as possible. We will be doing everything possible to put a stop to these problems.

"At the time of the fire, contractors were installing a fire alarm system to all flats in the block as part of ongoing work to address the problem. Work will resume on the alarm system and should be completed this week."