A man rescued from a house fire in north Belfast is said to be critically ill but stable after suffering severe burns.

Firefighters rescued three men from the burning building on the Cliftonville Road on Tuesday night after a passer-by heard their cries for help.

The police believe the fire was started deliberately.

They are appealing for anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area last night to get in touch.

The man and two other men were rescued by fire fighters from two adjoining terraced houses ablaze on the Cliftonville Road.

Arson is suspected because witnesses heard loud bangs shortly before the fire started at 1950 GMT. Four fire crews were called to the scene of two fires at adjoining houses on the Cliftonville Road at around 1950 GMT.

When they arrived one of the men was trapped on the roof. The other two were at a second storey bay window.

Fire service officer Pete Sefton said the crews only had a matter seconds to bring them to safety and they were lucky to be alive.

He said: "When we got there we managed to get ladders up very quickly.

"Smoke was pouring out of the window and the fire was very well developed in the house and the house next door. and smoke was pouring out of the window.

"Another few moments and they would have had to jump from a substantial height.

"Two of the men were suffering from very severe smoke inhalation and one of them was suffering not only from smoke inhalation but from quite severe burns to his arms and hands."

"The person who made the 999 call saved their lives."