THE occupants of a flat that caught fire were pictured making a desperate break-out from the burning building. 

A neighbour of the flat, in Sikeside Street, Coatbridge, captured shocking images of the people inside the property fleeing the flames yesterday. 

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Glasgow Times:

One person was seen smashing the flat's window in to help others escape the burning building. 

It's thought the fire was started deliberately, said police, who have launched an investigation. 

Glasgow Times:

Firefighters helped other occupants down from the low balcony. 

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Glasgow Times:

Thankfully, no one was injured in the blaze but smoke was seen belching out of the North Lanarkshire tenement building. 

Glasgow Times:

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A spokesperson for the fire service said that crews remained in attendance and confirmed they were called at 12.52pm to reports the ground floor flat was ablaze. 

A police spokesman said: "We were made aware of a fire at a property on Sikeside Street in Coatbridge by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service around 1pm on Tuesday, 4 May.

"The fire was extinguished by the fire service and no one was injured. At this time the fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing as to the identify and trace those responsible."