Arson rescue.

Firefighters rescued a man and his cat from a roof after a suspected arson attack.

Care assistant Graeme Tempest, 22, was asleep at his flat above a shop in High Street, Felling, when a wheelie bin outside was set alight about 3am.

Flames spread to second-hand shop, Dots, and smoke got into the flat.

Graeme clambered on to the roof with his cat and he was helped down.

He was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, after suffering smoke inhalation and cuts to his feet.