POLICE have arrested a 17-year-old youth in connection with a blaze at Tovil Newsagents and Post Office in Tovil, Maidstone.

The youth was today being questioned by detectives at Maidstone Police Station. The blaze broke out at about 12.40am on Tuesday.

A family of four fled through an upstairs window when the shop below their flat was deliberately set on fire.

The shopkeeper, his wife and two children, aged seven and 13, knotted sheets together and hung them out of the window before clambering down to safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Maidstone police station on 01622 604283 or call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.