EIGHT people, including two kids, have been rescued after a blaze erupted on the tenth floor of a block of flats in a suspected arson attack.

       Residents at James House in Newtown, Birmingham, were heard shouting for help on a balcony after flames spread from a stairwell at around 5.40pm.

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       Eight fire engines scrambled to the scene after the fire broke out in Birmingham Credit: SnapperSK 5

       Eight fire engines were scrambled to the scene as firefighters probe the cause of the blaze Credit: SnapperSK

       West Midlands Fire Service said a pushchair and other items on a staircase were set alight.

       "This caused people to become panicked and caused people to then come out of their flats," Steve Vincent, the force's Area Commander, said.

       It's believed the fire was started deliberately and cops are urgently investigating the cause, BBC reports.

       Fourteen people were treated after breathing in smoke, while more than 100 residents were evacuated from the burning building.

       The fire service said a number of residents came down to the lobby areas and were led to safety by firefighters who used smoke hoods to protect them.

       Evacuees were then moved to temporary accommodation at a nearby community centre.

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       West Midlands Police said in a statement: "We’re working with colleagues to understand the cause of a fire that broke out in a Birmingham tower block this evening.

       “We were alerted to the fire by a resident in James House, Newtown Drive at 5.40pm.

       “It's understood the fire started in a communal area or stairwell on the 10th floor. It was quickly extinguished and did not spread to any of the flats.

       “We're currently on site alongside other emergency services and work has already started alongside fire investigators to understand how the fire started.”

       Meanwhile West Midlands Fire Service wrote on Twitter earlier: “The fire at James House, Newtown, has been quickly extinguished by our crews however a number of residents had entered the lobby areas and were subsequently led to safety by our firefighters using our smoke hoods.

       “Four fire engines are still at the scene.”

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       Families were evacuated from the 13-storey building with a small number of residents rushed to hospital Credit: SnapperSK 5

       Adults and children were evacuated from the burning building Credit: SnapperSK 5

       The fire broke out at 5.40pm Credit: SnapperSK