Detectives are hunting dash-cam footage of a getaway car used in a suspected arson attack.

One woman was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation after a flat fire in Redding House, Tolpits Lane, West Watford yesterday morning.

Detectives investigating the blaze hope motorists driving in the area have dash-cam footage of the blue Astra seen leaving the fire shortly after the fire started.

A woman considered jumping from a fourth floor window to escape the smoke, which witnessed described as “thick and black”.

Detective Inspector Jason Keane from Watford Local Crime Unit is investigating and said: “We are currently treating the fire as suspicious and are appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 8.30am to 8.40am, and saw anyone acting suspiciously.

“Anyone riding or driving through the Croxley View or Tolpits Lane areas of Watford or Rickmansworth between 8.15am and 9am on Sunday morning, with a helmet camera or dashboard camera that may have recorded an older shape blue Vauxhall Astra that was seen leaving the vicinity of the fire is asked to contact Watford Local Crime Unit on 01923 472978.

“Police are keen to trace the users of that vehicle and any potential footage held by members of the public could prove vital to the investigation.”

The emergency services have been praised for the work they did helping people escape using ladders and then getting the fire under control.

Cllr Nigel Bell, who represents West Watford at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the rapid response from the fire and rescue teams and the Police who were on the scene at 1 to 8 Reading House very quickly.

“It clearly is a very serious crime scene investigation and I know the Police are carefully carrying out a thorough investigation.

“The Housing Trust Officers were also on the scene to deal with a very stressful situation for all the residents of that block of flats and I am sure they will ensure that residents affected will be properly looked after and in some cases rehoused as quickly as possible.

“I have met quite a few of the residents concerned and I hope they are able to get some rest and recover as soon as possible so they can get back to normality after the nightmare of today.”