Five people had to be evacuated from their homes after arsonists targeted an outhouse at a Black Country property.

The residents of bedsits on the ground floor of the converted house in North Street, Dudley, were ushered out to safety at 11pm last night by fire crews.

A woman from a neighbouring house had raised the alarm when she saw smoke. The door and some of the walls of the outhouse at the back of the property were damaged in the fire but none of the homes were effected.

Crews from Dudley fire station attended the scene.

Watch commander Mark Smith said: “It looked like arson – someone had managed to break in and set fire to it.”

Mr Smith said the residents of the bedsits had not noticed the fire until crews turned up.

He added: “It was lucky that the neighbour called us or it could have done more damage.”

It took around 15 minutes to put out the fire and police are now investigating the blaze.