A woman has died and eight more people are hurt following a suspected arson attack at a block of flats just days before Christmas.
Witnesses said residents were trapped inside the building in Devizes, Wiltshire, when firefighters were called shortly after 1am on Tuesday.
Chelsea Nurdin, 23, and her boyfriend, who lives in the block, scrambled to get dressed and had to escape through a living room window as the fire raged outside his front door and smoke began to fill his home.
The inferno is believed to have started in a communal area and is being treated as arson.
At least 35 firefighters were called in to battle the blaze, which was extinguished about an hour after they arrived at the scene.
Have you been affected by the fire? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.
One woman died at Great Western Hospital in Swindon today.
Dramatic footage recorded before firefighters arrived shows flames shooting several feet out of a window in a flat on the ground floor as the sound of windows breaking and a smoke alarm are heard.
Miss Nurdin described the terrifying moment she got out of bed and saw smoke pouring into her boyfriend's flat from under the front door.
She told Mirror Online: "I was staying at my partners and we went to bed around one-ish. Whilst in bed we heard some banging and things, then someone's smoke alarm started going off.
"At first we thought nothing of it, but then we heard lots of smashing, which I now believe to be the windows.
"I got up to go see what was going on and that’s when I seen smoke coming through the front door.
"I called 999 while getting clothes on and trying to shut our three cats in the living room because the smoke was black and we couldn’t open our door.
"We were so scared that we had to climb out of our living room window.
"By this point someone had already alerted fire station and I was told they were on their way.
"We haven’t been allowed back in but the firemen were amazing and allowed me to climb back through my window to ensure my cats were all ok and to get some clothes."
She added: "It started under the stairs, which is directly opposite our door."
Wiltshire Police have launched a hunt for at least one suspect.
A spokesperson said: "We are investigating a fire which occurred in Devizes early this morning.
"Shortly after 1am, the fire service was called to a block of flats in Waiblingen Way.
"Police officers assisted approximately 35 firefighters at the scene alongside colleagues from the ambulance service.
"The fire is believed to have started in a communal area.
"At this stage, we believe nine people have been injured as a result of the fire, including one woman who has suffered serious injuries.
"She is currently being treated at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and is in a critical condition.
"The fire was extinguished by 2.25am and a joint investigation with the fire service and Wiltshire Police has now begun to determine the cause of the fire."
Det Insp Helen Jacobs said: "Although we are very much at the early stages of our investigation, we are treating this incident as arson and we will be conducting multiple enquiries today to identify the exact circumstances.
"If you witnessed any suspicious activity in the Waiblingen Way area before 1am this morning, you may be able to help with our enquiries so please do get in touch."
Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who was elected in the constituency of Devizes last week, wrote on Facebook: "So sorry to hear about the fire overnight in Waiblingen Way, Devizes.
"My thoughts are with everyone affected, and huge thanks to DWFireRescue and all the other authorities for their brilliant work.
"Please do let me know if I can help in any way."
Residents have been displaced by the fire and, as of Tuesday morning, they don't know when they will be allowed to return home.
Wiltshire Council was helping them with emergency accommodation.
