17 July 2012 Last updated at 12:42 ET

Workington arson attack: Two women arrested

Deborah Donald managed to escape the smoke-filled house in Workington with her daughter

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a mother and daughter escaped from a fire at their home in Cumbria in the early hours.

Deborah Donald, 34, and her daughter, two, were awoken by a fire alarm when the blaze broke out at the door of the house in Wastwater Avenue, Workington.

They were taken to hospital for treatment for the effects of breathing in smoke and were later discharged.

Two women, aged 26 and 35, are being questioned on suspicion of arson.

Cumbria Police said it was "lucky" no-one was seriously hurt in the blaze.

Ms Donald said the only route out of the house was the living room window.

She said: "There was just so much smoke. The only way we were going to get out was through the window."

Kevin Bethwaite, of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, praised Ms Donald for her quick reactions.

He said: "I can't fault what she did. She heard the smoke alarm, woke her child up and placed a damp towel over both their heads as the house was thick with smoke.

"She did exactly the right thing and got out of the property straight away."