TWO men have been bailed over a suspicious fire which has left a 59-year-old man critically ill in hospital.

The man was rescued from the flat in Beckenham High Street before being taken to Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, where he is said to have life threatening injuries.

Another man, aged 30, was also rescued from the property by firefighters and was treated for smoke inhalation by ambulance staff.

Seven other people were led to safety from neighbouring homes after the fire started just after 10pm on Sunday (January 8).

Firefighters were at the scene for around three and a half hours and managed to contain the blaze to the kitchen area of the flat where the fire started.

The two men, aged 23 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of arson and have been bailed until March 23 pending further investigations.