Three seriously hurt in shop fire

Five people have been arrested

Three people are critically ill in hospital after a fire badly damaged a newsagents in Bristol.

The blaze on Axbridge Road, Knowle, which started at about 0330 GMT on Friday may be suspicious, said police.

Det Ch Supt Nigel Rock said: "We are keeping an open mind as to the motive including the possibility that it could be racially motivated."

One of the victims, a woman, has been transferred to a hospital in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

They remain in police custody.

"There are other lines of inquires that are emerging from the initial fire service investigation and it is important to stress that we are also following all of these," said Det Ch Supt Rock who is leading the inquiry.

"This was an intense fire that has created a lot of damage, so it will take us some time to ascertain all of the facts and identify the exact cause with our colleagues in the fire service, however we are treating this incident with the utmost priority."

'Breathing with tubes'

Two people who were unconscious in the flat above the newsagents had to be rescued by firefighters and a further three helped to safety.

Those in hospital include relatives of the shop's owner, Rashid Sayeed.

"My brother and my niece have been taken to hospital," he said.

"My brother's condition is very poor. My niece is OK and is breathing with tubes. I am very concerned for them."

Kevin Keeler, from Avon Fire & Rescue Service, added: "One person climbed out of a first floor window and jumped on to a car. He was helped by the police officer who had raised the alarm.

"Fire crews then noticed two people had to be rescued and helped them out.

"Firefighters with breathing apparatus went in and found two unconscious casualties. They were rescued and passed to paramedics."

Several roads in the area had to be closed on Friday morning during the incident.