Man quizzed over death blaze

North Yorkshire Police said the man was being quizzed by detectives investigating the fatal blaze at the three-storey block in Norton, near Malton.

The two people who died have yet to be named, but police said two other people were being treated in hospital in York for their injuries.

Emergency services were called to the flats in Buckrose Court, Norton, near Malton, in the early hours.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "At this stage it is believed two people have died, although this cannot be confirmed until the fire has been fully extinguished and officers are able to enter the building and carry out a full search.

"Two other casualties, two men believed to be in their early 20s, have been taken to York District Hospital, where they are being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and burn injuries."

The spokeswoman said police had been alerted by the fire service at around 2.15am. The flats are located along an alleyway off the main street through Norton.

Steve Kinsella, who runs a pub opposite the scene, said: "I heard someone shouting, so I looked through the window and saw a girl just running in the street. All she had on was a t-shirt.

"She was shouting, 'fire, fire', screaming at the top of her voice. I was just about to pick up the phone to dial 999, but as I had the phone in my hand the fire brigade turned up."

Mr Kinsella, who is the landlord of the Railway Tavern, said police asked him to open up his pub and up to 20 people evacuated from the flats came inside to recover.