A FAMILY made an emotional appeal yesterday to help catch the killers of a man who died after a firework was pushed through his letterbox.

Arthur Lonsdale died in hospital from respiratory failure caused by smoke inhalation after fire swept through his home in Westerham Close, Witherwack, Sunderland, last Thursday.

The 52-year-old former locksmith, known locally as Arky, died in hospital on Saturday from respiratory failure.

His tearful mother, Elsie, and sister, Carol, yesterday attended a Press conference, where a statement was read out by Detective Inspector Rob Coulson on their behalf.

They said: "It is really terrible what happened and we are devastated.

"Someone must know who did this. Arky did not deserve this - no one deserves to die this way.

"We would like to appeal to people living in the area to come forward and we hope this appeal will prick someone's conscience.

Det Insp Coulson said: "We still have no motive for what happened and are looking at every possibility, including the fact that Mr Lonsdale could have been victimised and harassed in the past."

Meanwhile, police in Darlington are hunting youths thought to be responsible for posting a burning sparkler through the letterbox of a house in the town.

Police in Darlington said a lit sparkler was pushed through the letterbox of a woman's home in Arundel Drive, in the Cockerton area of the town, at about 7.45pm on Wednesday.

Acting Inspector Alison Jackson said the incident was being treated as arson after a set of net curtains was set alight.

"If the woman hadn't heard the letterbox and gone to investigate, the fire could have been a lot worse," she said.

"We are treating this very seriously and, because there was someone in the house, we are looking at arson with intent to endanger life.

"Youths don't think about the potential danger - to them it is just a joke. They don't think about the fact there could be someone in the house who could have been killed."

Less than two weeks ago, Lindsay Price and her two children were forced to flee their home in Marrick Avenue, Darlington, after a firework was pushed through their letterbox.

Anyone with information concerning Mr Lonsdale's death is asked top call 0191-454 7555, ext 65017.

Detectives investigating the Darlington incident can be contacted on (01325) 467681.