DOZENS of pigeons perished in a blaze which took fire crews five hours to get under control.
The alarm was raised at 6.15am yesterday when flames were seen rising from allotments near Beatty Street, in Easington Colliery.
Peterlee firefighters battled the blaze and helped release trapped birds.
The fire spread to neighbouring gardens where many sheds had asbestos roofs. The danger prompted the call-out of a unit to decontaminate the area.
Many birds were killed in the blaze, which could be seen for miles around.
The allotments have been the repeated target of vandals, and those living nearby were yesterday pointing the finger at youths as the most likely suspects.
At Peterlee police station, a spokesman last night confirmed that the blaze was being treated as malicious. Anyone who can help should ring (0191) 5862621.
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