YOUTHS are believed to have started a fire at an unoccupied house in Darlington.
The firefighters were alerted to the incident at the house in Ridsdale Street yesterday afternoon shortly before 4pm.
It is believed the fire may have been started by youths who entered the house.
The fire brigade district manager, Steve Donnelly, said the house had been damaged by fire on the ground floor and was smoke-logged on the second floor.
He said: "The premises was boarded up, but it looks as though people have been getting in and out. There was a tremendous amount of rubbish inside."
Two appliances attended the scene and police blocked the road to vehicles while the fire was being treated.
Officers had to use breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.
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