A HOUSE in Darlington has been hit by a fire for the second time in three days.

The first floor of the house in Peabody Street, Harrowgate Hill, was badly damaged by a blaze on Sunday.

Fire chiefs say that was an accident, but a second blaze at the rear of the house yesterday afternoon is thought to have been started deliberately.

A spokesman said: "It would appear that someone attempted to break in, but when they were unable to, they started a fire at the rear of the house which damaged a storage area, the yard and the window and door frames."