POLICE are investigating after five people were rescued from a property following an arson attack on a car in south Belfast.

The fire was reported in the Eglantine Place area, near to the Lisburn Road, at about 6:30 am on Thursday.

Twenty firefighters were called to the blaze, which had spread to several other cars.

Four adults and a child were rescued from nearby apartments and one was taken to hospital.

Two people were treated with breathing apparatus at the scene.

The PSNI described it as a “reckless attack” and are treating it as arson with intent to endanger life.

Eglantine Place has been closed with the public advised to avoid the area.