AROUND 30 firefighters spent more than three hours tackling a blaze in an old Victorian building.

Fire crews from around Teesside were called to the unoccupied house in Bishopton Road, Stockton at 1.27am today after reports of a fire in the roof.

The blaze is being treated as suspicious and arson investigation officers have inspected the property.

The building, which is located on the junction of Bishopton Road and St Paul's Road, was formerly used as sheltered accommodation, but is believed to have been empty since the summer.

No-one was injured in the incident, which completely destroyed the roof and caused 70 per cent damage to the first floor as well as minor damage to the ground floor.