POLICE are hunting arsonists who broke into a house and used an accelerant to start a damaging fire.

The fire was discovered at about 12.15am yesterday at an address in Broadway, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough.

While its occupier was out, arsonists forced their way in and set the lounge alight, using an accelerant to speed up the fire's progress.

Police and fire crews arrived to find the lounge severely burned and other rooms smoke damaged.

The total bill for repairs is estimated at £5,000. Sub-officer Martin Pottinger, who attended the incident, said: "This was a very severe fire."

A police spokesman urged anyone with information about the fire to contact PC Sonia Moss on (01642) 301926.

A woman is recovering after she suffered smoke inhalation when her cooker caught fire, in Laycock Street, Middlesbrough, on Thursday night.

Initially, there were fears people were trapped inside the house but fire crews arrived to find a woman and a boy had managed to escape.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Station officer Lol McIlroy said: "This sort of fire is devastating for anyone, because thick black smoke comes from it. Having the benefit of a smoke alarm, at least the occupant was alerted.