A fire in which families were forced to escape through their windows may have intended to endanger life, police have confirmed.

People and pets were evacuated from the College Court flats in the early hours of the morning as fire ravaged the building in Northcliffe Road in Bognor.

Now, police have confirmed that they are treating the fire as arson with intent to endanger life as forensic officers have descended on the scene.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were called to support the fire service following the incident at the College Court flats in Northcliffe Road, Bognor Regis, at around 4.36am.

“The occupants from all affected flats were safely evacuated to nearby Butlins with the assistance of the local authority. No injuries were reported.

“The cause of the fire is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and an investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances of what happened.

“Forensics investigators have been deployed to the scene and officers are continuing to conduct house-to-house enquiries at this time.”

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that three crews attended the fire where families, including at least three children, were rescued from the building.

Paramedics checked the people rescued as a precaution and the fire has since been extinguished.

A spokesman for the fire service added: “This morning our firefighters rescued several people, including children and pets from flats which were on fire near Bognor.

The Argus: The entrance to College Court flats in BognorThe entrance to College Court flats in Bognor (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“Two women and a pet rabbit were rescued by ladder from a first-floor flat. A family of four, including three children, were rescued from a second flat via ladder.

“Firefighters helped a woman out of a window of a third ground-floor flat and five adults managed to self-rescue from a fourth flat along with their three dogs.”

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area around that time, or anyone who captured what happened on CCTV, mobile or doorbell footage, is urged to report it online or via 101, quoting serial 157 of 02/02.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.