FIREfighters had a lucky escape when the ceiling of an arson-hit pub collapsed showering them in debris.

They were investigating the cause of the blaze when part of the first-floor ceiling at the Old Moor pub, in Light Pipe Hall Road, Stockton, caved in covering them in water and wood.

Fire crews had spent two hours tackling the blaze that destroyed the first floor of the pub, which is being renovated.

Station Officer Ian Dunning, of Stockton fire station, said: "Part of the ceiling fell in on us. It gave way under the pressure of all the water that we had used to put the fire out. It was lucky we weren't injured. It shows how dangerous premises like these are."

Three fire crews and a hydraulic platform attended after being called at about 10.35pm on Friday.

Youths, suspected of started the blaze, are believed to have got inside the pub by pulling a board from a window.

Mr Dunning said: "It was quite a spectacular fire which we could see from about a mile away.

"There was a danger that the whole first floor could go up, so we had to act quickly. We sent teams with breathing apparatus in to search for people, but no one was inside.

"The cause of the fire is still under investigation but there were youths seen playing in the building in recent days."