Hardwick flat fire treated as arson after 'firework through letterbox'

Firefighters were alerted to a blaze at a flat in Cockerton Walk, Hardwick, Stockton, at about 9.20 on Saturday (November 2). 

Three fire engines, an ambulance, and several police vehicles converged on the scene.

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters extinguished the blaze.

A cordon was placed around the area as firefighters extinguished the fire, confining the flames to one flat. All persons had been accounted for. 

Police officers, along with firefighters, were later seen examining the door of the flat as they worked to establish what had happened.

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said today: "At 9.20am on Saturday November 2 police were called to reports of a fire at a home on Cockerton Walk in Stockton.

"Officers attended to find the property wasn’t occupied at the time. The fire was extinguished by firefighters from Cleveland Fire Brigade and neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution.

"The fire is being treated as arson and is believed to have been caused by a firework being put through the letterbox."

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

A spokesperson for the Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "We were called to a fire at Cockerton Walk in Hardwick at 8.17pm. 

"Two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet were used to extinguish the fire.

"There was 20 per cent damage to the flat and smoke ventilated into the lofts of the neighbouring flats where there was light smoke damage."

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(Image: Terry Blackburn)

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a house fire just before 9.20pm last night (Saturday 2 November) on Cockerton Walk, Stockton.

"We dispatched a double crewed ambulance, but we stood down at the scene by the fire service."

Enquiries are now ongoing and police have appealed for anyone who has information, CCTV or dash cam footage that could assist the investigation to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting reference number 210776.

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn)

(Image: Terry Blackburn) (Image: Terry Blackburn)