MEMBERS of a dominoes club have spoken of their narrow escape following a suspected arson attack at the church hall they were using.

About 15 woman abandoned their game and fled the building when they discovered a teenager had set fire to the basement at St Mary’s Parish Church Hall, in Horden, near Peterlee, on Monday evening. Joan Freemantle, 78, said last night: “It could have been a lot worse if it had not been spotted.”

Mrs Freemantle, whose husband Godfrey is a caretaker at the church, said she spotted the youth as she and a fellow player went to lock the door.

She said: “One of the ladies went to lock the door and as she went out, a boy appeared behind her.

“He said he was looking for his grandma.”

When the youth made off, they discovered the cellar doors were open and there was smoke billowing out.

The building was evacuated and the fire brigade called.

Mr Freemantle said: “It wasn’t a very big fire, but if it had been left for five or ten minutes more, it would have been far worse.”

Gym equipment and a rug were destroyed.

A police spokesman said the incident was being treated as arson and an investigation was under way.

Anybody with information is asked to call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365.