POLICE were last night still hunting a man believed to have fled a house where a second man died in suspicious circumstances.

More than 30 officers are involved in the investigation after a body of the man, thought to be in his 20s, was found late on Thursday night.

Three men and a woman, aged between 24 and 31, were arrested at the house in West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, County Durham.

Armed officers raided several homes in and around Chilton yesterday – including one in Stephenson Way, Newton Aycliffe – but failed to find the fourth man.

It is understood he is known to police.

Acting Chief Inspector Sue Collingwood said: “We know there was some kind of altercation in the house and it is imperative we speak to anyone who knows what may have gone on or who may have heard a disturbance at around midnight.

“It is known there was some kind of party taking place in nearby Dene Terrace and one line of inquiry is there could be some link to that gathering and the death in West Chilton Terrace.”

Two boys and a girl, who were at the house on Thursday night, are being cared for by relatives.

Results of a post-mortem examination on the dead man, who is not from the North-East, was carried out yesterday, but the results proved inconclusive and samples are being sent for forensic tests.

Police were alerted after paramedics were called to the terraced property and attempts to revive the man, in a ground-floor room, failed.

Acting Chief Insp Collingwood said it was not clear who called the paramedics, but finding out “would prove a significant line in the inquiry”.

One woman living nearby told The Northern Echo she heard the sound of arguing, which lasted for a couple of hours, coming from the house on Thursday night.

“They were normally pretty quiet,” added the woman, who asked not to be identified.

“I think there were a few of them in there. I got a shock when I found out what had happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0345-60-60-365 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800-555-111.