TWO County Durham homes have been damaged after fires last night which are being treated as arson.
Police are investigating two suspected arson attacks on homes in Horden, County Durham, on Monday night. Nobody was injured in the fires in Fourth and Fifth Streets, which police believe are linked.
Forensic officers remained at the scene on Fourth Street early on Tuesday afternoon.
A resident from Fifth Street, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was about 11 when I heard a loud bang. I looked out the window and saw flames in the house.
"I called the fire brigade and they arrived straight away. I don't think there was anyone in the house at the time.
"I certainly didn't see an ambulance. These kind of things happen quite a lot around here."
A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Officers were first called to an address on Fifth Street at around 11.15pm where units from the fire service were dealing with a house fire.
"Shortly after arriving on scene, officers were alerted to a second fire that had broken out at an address on Fourth Street. "Nobody was injured during the incidents, and it is believed that the two fires are linked."
Inspector Emma Kay, of Peterlee Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Additional officers will be patrolling the area, which I hope will offer some reassurance to residents.
“I would ask that if anybody has information that may assist us in our investigation, they get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Anybody who witnessed the incident or has CCTV footage of the area is asked to contact DS Ford-Stubbs of Peterlee CID on 101.
Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or by visiting firestoppersreport.co.uk A reward is offered by Firestoppers for information that leads to a conviction.
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