Housing bosses have had to find new homes for families hit by a fire at a block of flats.
Four homes were left severely damaged after flames ripped through the building, in Teams, Gateshead , last week.
And neighbours watched on in horror as a couple were pulled from their fire-engulfed home.
The man and woman, who ChronicleLive understands to be in their 60s, were taken to hospital, but their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
A 50-year-old man was arrested in connection with the blaze. He is currently on bail.
Now, the Gateshead Housing Company has revealed how alternative homes have had to be found for residents of the flats as the scale of the damage is assessed.
A spokesman said: "We are at the early stages of assessing what the damage is. It does look like it's going to be months rather than weeks and we have had discussions with four households.
"We always offer to provide temporary accommodation. Quite often that might be a hotel because of the immediacy of the problem, although in some cases they might opt to stay with family.
"Then we will continue to stay in contact with them. Once we know the extent of the damage and how long it will take to repair we will sit down with those customers and discuss whether or not they want to return.
"Then depending on what they have opted for we help find a suitable property for them and we will work with them to secure that."
Neighbours said they saw flames coming from the window of a flat on Marian Court , at around 10.40pm on Tuesday, September 10.
Police say they believe the fire started in a nearby wheelie bin and spread to the building, damaging four homes.
The blaze is now being treated as arson, officers have confirmed.
Police remained at the scene the following morning and cordoned off the blackened building.
As detectives carried out door-to-door enquiries, fire investigators, wearing white overalls, could be seen working nearby.
And people living in the adjacent block told of their fears the flames could have spread to their own homes.
Beth Walker, who lives with her one-year-old son Oliver, said she was terrified when she saw the fire.
“I was just finishing watching a programme and all of a sudden I heard a pop and there were flames, they were touching my kitchen window,” she explained.
“I live with my little boy, he’s only one so I was panicking.
“He sleeps just above the archway so if it had spread it could have reached his room.”
Jalen Barlow, who lives with her mum, said she watched on as the couple were carried from the burning flat.
The 19-year-old said: “It was scary to see. I just saw two people come out, they were being carried by their arms and legs. It was quite a shock.”
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “It is believed the fire spread from a nearby wheelie bin and is currently being treated as arson.
“Officers have arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with the incident.
“Enquiries to establish the circumstances around the fire are ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.”
