Three police officers have been taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, 2 men have been arrested in connection with this incident.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service were called by the police to a flat fire on Ottawa Road around 3.30am this morning.
Fire crews from Eastern fire and 1 fire engine from Central fire stations attended.
On arrival Incident Commander confirmed building of 3 floors, 5m x 5m, fire located in bedroom of 1st floor flat.
1 hose reel and 2BA used.
Cadent requested due to smell of gas.
Residents of neighbouring flats were evacuated as a precaution.
5 residents suffered slight smoke inhalation and were treated by EMAS at scene.
The police tweeted earlier this morning that this incident may be linked with an assault at a nearby location.
Reports are that a man had been stabbed somewhere in the area. 
A police spokesperson said:
"Police are in attendance at a flat fire in St Matthews following an assault which they suspect may be linked.
At around 3am this morning (3 January), police were approached by a man in Eldon Street who had sustained a number of puncture wounds.
Following enquiries carried out in connection with the assault, officers attended an address in Ottawa Road a short time after to discover a flat fire.
Inside the flat was a man who was rescued from the property by officers and he is uninjured. The fire has since been extinguished by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service having caused substantial damage.
As a result of their assistance, three officers are being treated at hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.
The injured man remains in hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.
A 40-year-old Leicester man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and a 26-year-old Leicester man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger fire.
They both remain in police custody.
A number of flats in the same block have been evacuated while emergency services respond to the incident and Ottawa Road remains closed at this time."
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 84 of 3 January.
🔴 Updated News 04/01/21
Man charged following incident in Ottawa Road, Leicester
A man has been charged following an incident in the area of Ottawa Road, Leicester, yesterday (Sunday).
Mubarak Jibril, 26, of Lancaster Place, Leicester, has been charged with attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, arson with intent to endanger life and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
A 40-year-old man, of Leicester, who was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the incident has been released with no further action.
A man, in his 50s, who was injured in the incident remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Ottawa Road has since been reopened.
Jibril has been remanded into custody and is due to attend Leicester Magistrates Court this morning (4 January).
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