Police are investigating an arson attack in a block of flats in Northampton in the early hours of Sunday.
Newspapers left in the stairwell of the flats at Beckets View, Northampton, were set on fire just after 2am. Sixteen people were forced to leave their flats while firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Crews from The Mounts, Mereway and Moulton attended and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “There was severe smoke damage to the area of the stairwell where the fire occurred and light smoke damage to the adjacent areas. The cause of this fire is believed to be deliberate ignition.
“The police also attended this incident and are carrying out further investigations.”