POLICE enquiries remain ongoing into a 'deliberate' fire at a block of flats in Christchurch in which seven people and a dog were rescued by firefighters.

Multiple fire crews rushed to the blaze which broke out in a communal area at Wenlock Court in Hunt Road, Somerford, on November 16.

On arrival, firefighters found a "well-developed fire" in a ground floor stairwell.

During the incident, seven people and a dog were rescued with five other residents moving themselves to safety.

Two people were treated by paramedics at the scene as a precaution.

Speaking at the time, Mark Downing, station manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident could have led to “multiple casualties” and was believed to have been started deliberately.

Giving an update, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police quoting 16:674.