POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a house fire which is believed to have been started deliberately.

Firefighters were called after flames were spotted in the paved area in the rear garden of a house in Windermere Road in the Westlea area, of Seaham, after 11.45pm on Monday.

When appliances from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the scene, they discovered a motorbike had been propped against a wheely bin, which had been set on fire. The blaze had then spread to the rear door of the house.

Two local men who were in the area spotted the flames and managed to alert the three occupants of the house - a 20-year-old man who was the owner of the bike and two of his three younger sisters.

They managed to get themselves out of the property unharmed. The brother then went back into the house to successfully rescue the family's three dogs, two spaniels and a pitbull terrier.

The blaze left extensive smoke damage to the inside of the house.

The incident has been classed as arson and police are appealing for anyone who was in the area and noticed anything suspicious to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Cliff Down said: "This incident could have had horrific results, had it not been for the swift actions of the two passers-by.

"It would appear someone has deliberately entered the rear of the property and set light to the bin before dragging the motorbike across to literally add fuel to the flames.

“Their actions put those inside the house in serious danger."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.