A COUPLE and their daughter escaped from a house following a suspected arson attack at the weekend - alerted by a smoke alarm which had been fitted by for free by firefighters.

Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service community safety manager Dave Turnbull said emergency services were alerted to the blaze at Porter Terrace, Murton, east Durham, in the early hours of Saturday.

He said: "On our arrival the front hall way was well alight.

"The couple, who were asleep upstairs, were woken by the smoke alarm and managed to escape out the back door with the daughter.

"It was thanks to the smoke alarm that we fitted free of charge during the last year that they were alerted to the fire."

Mr Turnbull added it was suspected the fire had been deliberate started.

A police spokesman said the front door had been severely damaged and confirmed the fire was being treated as arson.

A local 30-year-old man was arrested and was last night helping police with their inquiries.

Anyone who may have witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area shortly after midnight has been asked to contact the police on 0345-60-60-365.