Deliberately set fire forces 12 people from burning building in Dartmouth

Police are investigating what they say is a deliberatelyset fire at an apartment building on Lakefront Road in Dartmouth early Thursday morning.

In a news release, Halifax Regional Police say emergency crews were called to the scene at around 3:45 a.m. Firefighters extinguished the fire shortlybefore 4:30 a.m.

No one was injured.

DiondreBealslives on the second floor and was awoken by the fire alarm. He, his girlfriendand his dog escaped to safety.

"But as soon as you opened the door it was just all smoked out. Down on the bottom floor was all flames," he said.

Halifax Transit provided a bus on site to temporarilyshelter the 12 adults and children who fled the building.

Police say the arson investigation is still in the early stages but are asking that anyone with information about thefire to call police.