AN investigation has been launched following a house fire in Hartlepool.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Otterpool Close shortly after 10pm yesterday.

A wheelie bin was set alight after being pushed up against the front door of the property.

The ground floor was severely damaged by fire.

No one was in the house at the time of the incident.

A spokesman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said they had notified police of a suspicious fire.