An arson probe has been launched after a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday (June 20) morning.

Emergency crews were called to a property in Witton Park, Bishop Auckland at about 12.20am on Tuesday following reports of a fire.

Two fire engines attended to battle the blaze and left the scene at around 2am.

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An investigation has been carried out and the fire is believed to have been started deliberately. Police are treating the fire as a suspected arson.

No one was injured and enquiries are ongoing.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Reports of a house fire at Witton Park came into our control room at 12:20am yesterday morning (Tuesday 20th June.)

“Two appliances from Bishop Auckland and Crook attended the incident. They extinguished the fire and left the scene at 2am.

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“A joint police and fire investigation has been carried out and the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

“If you have information which may assist us, please contact Durham Constabulary on 101 quoting incident number 14 of June 20, or alternatively call FireStoppers anonymously on 0800 169 558.”

Durham Police called for anyone with information to come forward.