YOUNG arsonists were last night blamed for a blaze in a disused sports centre which put the lives of firefighters at risk.

It took fire crews more than 40 minutes to get the flames under control after the second floor of the derelict Quaker Centre, in Polam Lane, Darlington, was set alight.

They wore breathing apparatus as they hunted for youngsters believed to be trapped inside.

As they searched the smoke-logged building, next to the former Feethams football stadium, the roof and a ceiling collapsed.

The operation to tackle the fire - which involved firefighters from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe plus police and an ambulance crew - took almost three hours.

Darlington Fire Station crew manager Dave Ibbertson said: "It has tied us up for three hours for a malicious fire that kids have started in a derelict building.

"It's not only a waste of time but it's putting the firefighters at risk."

Children questioned close to the scene said they had seen four youngsters entering the building.

"They said they hadn't seen them come out of there," said Mr Ibbertson.

"We had to treat it as persons reported inside, though we didn't find anyone."

He said the fire brigade received a call from a nearby resident just before 9pm saying the building was well alight.

"We could see it from the fire station," he said. "There was a hell of a lot of smoke.

"We had problems with water because of where it was. It's a very tricky access. It's a back alley and getting the appliances down there was difficult."

The building, still standing, but badly damaged, was boarded up by police.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 606 0365.