QUICK action by firefighters probably saved the life of a man whose house was set alight in a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters arrived within three minutes of receiving the 999 call from the victim trapped in the lounge of his flat in Cambridge Crescent, Shepway Estate, Maidstone, last night.

The front door and hallway of the flat in Chichester House were alight and it is thought that material may have been pushed through the letterbox and ignited.

Firefighters from Maidstone’s Red Watch used breathing apparatus to rescue the man, who was lying on the floor to escape thick smoke.

After evacuating him, they returned to douse the flames and also rescued three parrots.

The 46-year-old man was given oxygen at the scene before being taken to Maidstone Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns to his hands.

Leading Firefighter Ian Taylor said: “The man was very lucky we got there so quickly. A few more minutes might have cost him his life.”

The parrots however were unharmed and have been taken in by a neighbour. Mr Taylor said: “They were still pretty chirpy.”

The Fire and Rescue Service warned that the blaze demonstrated the importance of having a smoke alarm.

Mr Taylor said: “In this case the victim was awake and quickly became aware of the fire. If it had been later in the night and he had gone to bed, he had no alarm to wake him and we may have had a fatality.”

Police confirmed that they are treating the attack as arson and have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact police on 01622 608189.