A BRAVE passer-by rescused a woman and a teenager from a house fire in the early hours of this morning (Monday) in Rowley Regis.

The blaze, which police believe was started deliberately, happened at a semi-detached house in Halesowen Street at around 2am.

Police said a man walking past spotted the fire at the front door and woke the occupants, who managed to escape.

A woman, aged 45, and a boy aged 16, were taken to Russells Hall Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. 

A cat and dog were also rescued.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police, said the fire is being treated as arson.

They said: "Police are investigating a fire at an address on Halesowen Street in Blackheath that happened in the early hours of this morning (Monday 24 June).

"The alarm was raised by a passer-by at 2am.

"He spotted the fire at the front door and woke the occupants, who managed to escape.

"A woman in her 40s and a teenage boy were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

"The fire is being treated as arson. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

The cat and dog were given oxygen at the scene by firefighters.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "The RSPCA was called to assist with the welfare of the animals while the occupiers are in hospital."

The spokesman said the cause of the fire was under investigation and West Midlands Police were involved. 

Crews from Haden Cross and Woodgate Valley stations attended the fire, which is thought to have started in the lounge. 

West Midlands Fire Service tweeted about the incident saying: "Crews from Woodgate fire and Haden crossfire are currently in attendance at a house fire in Rowley Regis.

"Two people and a cat have been rescued from the property."

Anyone with information on the incident can contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime quoting 20DY/148936K/19