POLICE have launched an arson investigation in Peterlee after a series of cars and wheelie bins have been set on fire – with one incident being branded as ‘endangerment to life’ after it was ignited inside a communal stairwell of a block of flats.

Officers from Durham Constabulary have started looking into the numerous arson attacks, which occurred at the end of last week.

The incidents took place on Friday (March 11), between 3.34am and 4.18am, and resulted in multiple cars and wheelie bins being set alight on Grampian Drive, Linacre Court, St Leonard’s Close, Welland Close, Trevelyan Place and Leven Walk.

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Currently, the police force is treating one of the incidents as ‘arson endangering life’ due to a wheelie bin being set alight inside a communal stairwell.

No one was injured in any of the arson incidents last Friday.

Detective Constable Mustard, of East Durham CID, has called on people to come forward if they witnessed anything out of the ordinary in Peterlee last Friday.

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He said: “Thankfully nobody was injured because of these incidents, but the consequences could so easily have been catastrophic.

“I’d like to urge anybody with CCTV in any of these areas to check their footage between the times stated and get in touch with us if anybody has been captured on camera.

“Additionally, if anybody noticed a friend or family member coming home smelling of smoke or acting suspiciously, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Anybody with any information is asked to contact DC Mustard on 0191 375 2714.

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