Fifteen people have been rescued from a suspicious fire in a tenement block in Edinburgh.

The blaze broke out on the ground floor of a block of flats in Tarvit Street in the early hours of Friday morning.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2.40am to find the flat "well alight".

A man jumped from a first-floor window to escape the flames and was taken to hospital with back injuries.

In total, eight people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Lothian and Borders Police said they were following a positive line of inquiry into the blaze but are still appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman for the force said: "Nine residents were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where they were treated for smoke inhalation.

"A male was found to the rear of the property apparently having jumped from a window and was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for suspected spinal injuries. These injuries are not thought to be life threatening at this time.

"This fire had the potential to cause serious injury to the residents within the block of flats and we are now carrying out local enquiries to positively identify those responsible.

"Anyone who was in or around Tarvit Street prior to the fire and saw anything suspicious should contact police immediately."

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.