A fire that ripped through a terraced house causing 'considerable damage' before spreading to a neighbouring property is being treated as a suspected arson attack. 

Durham Police have confirmed a criminal investigation had been launched following the fire in Attlee Avenue in Blackhall last Wednesday. 

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “In the early hours of July 12, we were alerted to a fire at Attlee Avenue, in Blackhall which caused considerable damage to one property and then spread to a neighbouring property.

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“We are treating this incident as a suspected arson and a criminal investigation is underway.

"If anyone has any information which might help our enquiries, they are asked to call Peterlee CID on 101”.