Sun, 27 Sep 2009 3:19p.m.
Three men were seen leaving the scene of a potentially fatal arson at a multi-storey apartment building in Hastings this morning, say police.
A resident of the building in Karamu Road South was woken by a noise in the foyer about 4am and went to investigate, said Detective Constable Lisa Tod of Hastings police.
He was confronted by thick smoke and flames and called the fire service.
"It is without doubt that the quick thinking and actions of the resident prevented the situation from being fatal," she said.
Police were hoping to hear from anyone who may have seen three males in the area who were seen leaving the building a short time before the fire started.
NZPA