A 10-year-old boy is being treated in hospital for serious injuries after a wheelie-bin fire spread to a flat in a County Durham town following a suspected arson attack. 

Durham Police have confirmed a suspect has been arrested following the fire in Forth Close, Peterlee, in the early hours of Thursday, December 14. 

The boy was in the house with his 21-year-old brother when the incident happened. Both were rescued by firefighters and were taken to hospital for treatment."

A Durham police spokesperson said: "Detectives investigating an arson attack which left a 10-year-old boy seriously injured last week have arrested a suspect.

"The boy remains in hospital following the fire at his home in Forth Close, Peterlee in the early hours of Thursday, December 14.

"Just after 1.15am, a fire started in a wheelie bin and spread to the house, causing extensive damage to the upstairs flat.

"Two people were inside at the time: a 21-year-old man and his 10-year-old brother. Their father, who lived at the same address, was at work.

"Both were rescued by firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and were taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, for treatment."

Police said the boy suffered extensive serious burns and, although his condition is no longer considered life-threatening, he is expected to require lengthy treatment for his injuries.

He has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

The 21-year-old suffered minor burns and the effects of smoke inhalation.

One of the family’s two pet dogs also died in the fire.

Following extensive inquiries in the area, police arrested a local man in his mid-20s on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has since been released on bail for the offence.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information which might help with the inquiry to come forward, as a matter of urgency.

Officers are particularly interested in anyone who saw anything suspicious or has dashcam footage from the area of Forth Close in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Detective Chief Inspector Lindsay Banks-Brown, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a young boy, who should have been safe in his family home, and whose life will never be the same again.

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“It is a horrendous incident, but frankly it could have been even worse – we could easily have been dealing with a fatal house fire in which a child lost their life.

“If anyone has any information which can help our enquiry, I would ask them to do the right thing and get in touch with us immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101 and quote incident 34 of December 14.