YOUTHS are believed to have set fire to a house which threatened the lives of neighbours.
Firefighters tackled the blaze which was started under floorboards at the house in Deepdale Avenue, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough fire station manager Ron Carr said the unoccupied house, a private property, had been totally ransacked and there were signs of forced entry.
"There was a real risk the fire could have spread to a neighbouring home," he said.
"We were very concerned about the neighbours' safety.
"There was a group of around 20 youths standing around the nearby houses when we arrived."
The Deepdale Avenue area has suffered badly from vandalism and arson in the past, but the problems have improved with the introduction of community wardens.
Police were also called out later on Tuesday evening to Deepdale Avenue to reports of a stolen car on fire.
The Vauxhall Cavalier had been stolen from Roseberry Road, in Longlands.
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