THE owner of a block of flats hit by a suspected arson attack alleged last night that a man threatened to kill his son the day before the fire.

Local magistrate Farzand Ali, 53, said he told police his 21-year-old son Bilal, who co-owns the Marina Court building on Frederick Street, Pill, was racially abused and threatened by a man in a dispute over an unpaid bill.

We exclusively revealed yesterday how children were thrown to safety from first-floor windows and one family climbed out of a loft window and slid down the roof tops to escape the fire in the flats on Tuesday night.

Sixteen residents dramatically escaped the flames.

"It is a relief no life was lost. It was a vicious attack and it could have been tragic," Mr Ali said.

He said he feared the building would be unsafe for residents to move back in and added that the smoke and fire alarms in the building had been serviced just before Christmas.

Residents told the Argus no alarm sounded as smoke billowed from the top of the building.

Mr Ali, who bought the building six months ago, said he had reported two incidents of people entering the flats and sleeping in the entrance to police in the last few months.

The fire damage mainly affected the ground floor of the building, but a South Wales Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the thick smoke spread upwards, making conditions difficult and dangerous for the residents.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Kevin Barry said, "The actions of our fire crews at this incident have no doubt saved the lives of several people who were trapped inside this building.

"This relatively large scale rescue operation acts as a reminder to everyone the danger of fire and smoke and having an escape plan for your home.

"We would also urge everyone to check their smoke detectors and ensure they are in full working order.

"If you do not have smoke detectors or an escape plan call 0800 169 1234 today to request a free home fire safety check from us and we will come to give advice on making an escape plan and fit smoke detectors for free."