A MAN remains in hospital today with a serious head injury after jumping from a burning flat to escape a suspected arson attack.
It is thought the man jumped out of a window above TK News in Spring Bank moments before rescuers arrived.
Firefighters, who arrived at 8.15am on Saturday, found the unnamed man lying on the pavement.
Eight others were rescued, including one person who remains at Hull Royal Infirmary, where they are undergoing treatment for minor burns.
Others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Kath Brennan, 52, says she saw a man jump from the smoke-filled flat.
She said: "It was one of the scariest things I have ever seen.
"I was just walking down Spring Bank and I could hear a lot of shouting and then I saw smoke.
"It all happened very quickly, to be honest.
"All of a sudden, one man jumped and clearly injured himself as he dropped to the pavement. It was horrible to watch.
"Other people then started coming out of the window and sitting on its ledge.
"People were shouting at them not to jump as well. It was horrific.
"Then the firemen turned up, quickly followed by a number of ambulances."
Humberside Police confirmed last night they are treating the fire as suspected arson and said they do not believe it to be a racially motivated incident.
Extra officers patrolled the area around Spring Bank area over the weekend in a bid to reassure residents.
Last month, the Mail reported on how a "lit item" was thrown at the doorway of TK News, and last Monday police were called to the property following reports of an attempted burglary.
It is not clear whether either of these incidents is linked to the latest fire.
Detective Inspector Nick Ram appealed for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area to contact police.
He said: "We are looking at something of a suspicious nature.
"We are urgently asking for information from members of the public. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the Spring Bank area on Saturday morning, we would really want to speak to them as soon as possible.
"The owner of the shop was in the police station on Saturday helping us with our inquiries. He is not under arrest.
"I understand there was a burglary here recently. It may be related, but it may not."
A shop owner, who works near to where the fire broke out, said: "It is getting to the point where it is not a surprise.
"It would appear this shop has been a bit of a target.
"If that is the case and it continues then someone could die soon.
"We just want to be able to open our shops every morning without this type of hassle."
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A man remains in hospital with a serious injury to the head. We cannot say any more at this stage."
Police arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. He has since been released on police bail.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, referring to log 184 of November 15.
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