DETECTIVES are investigating a suspected arson attack on an Indian restaurant.

Police and firefighters were called to the premises on Durham Road, in Leadgate, Consett, after a fire broke out at about 2.30am yesterday.

There was extensive damage to the property on the ground floor, a former shop which is in the early stages of renovation and conversion into a restaurant, and smoke damage to a first-floor flat.

The flat was empty but police warned people could have died if they had been in the upstairs flat at the time.

Detective Sergeant Paul D'eath said: "We believe the blaze was started deliberately and it could have resulted in the tragic loss of life had the flat upstairs been occupied.

"This could have been so much more serious because there was a lot of smoke damage and smoke is a big killer.

"People can be easily overcome by noxious fumes."

It took three fire crews more than an hour to get the flames under control before they made the surrounding area safe for the public.

Firefighters were beaten back by clouds of thick, black smoke that made visibility and breathing difficult.

Station manager Tom Gibson said: "The fire was made up of wood from the refurbishment materials and plastic chairs.

"When plastic burns, it gives off acrid, black smoke which makes very difficult to see what is happening.

"The fire was severe enough for the uPVC window and the frame to become so damaged it just fell out, with the double-glazed glass still intact."

Builders were at the scene yesterday ensuring the remains of the property were made secure.

A joint inquiry by police and fire service investigators into the blaze is under way and forensic samples have been removed from the scene for analysis.

Det Sgt D'eath added: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of the blaze and has any information that could help with our inquiries to come forward.

"It's possible at that time in the morning people could have been returning home from a night out and may have witnessed some suspicious activity."

Consett police can be contacted on 0845 6060 365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111