'Arson is a fire crime' - Fire service issues stark reminder after crews called to spate of arson incidents

County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service said that crews in Peterlee had attended a car fire and an allotment blaze in Shotton Colliery that had been started deliberately and an incident in Haswell which involved an empty house.

The fire service urged anyone with any information in relation to the incidents to contact FireStoppers or make a report online.

A County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service spokesman said: “Our crews at Peterlee have attended multiple deliberate fires over the last couple of weeks.

“Recently there were two incidents in Shotton Colliery one involving a car fire the other an allotment fire and an incident in Haswell which involved an empty house – all are thought to be deliberate.

“Arson is fire crime, and we would strongly encourage anyone who may have any information to contact FireStoppers anonymously on 0800 169 5558 or visit https://bit.ly/2WDSaz1 to make a report online.”

It comes as Peterlee Police receive reports of youths in the Wheatley Hill area causing an annoyance and trying to set wheelie bins on fire.

A spokesman for the force said: “Anti-social behaviour, Wheatley Hill parental reminder – what are your children doing now, are they out roaming the streets?

“We have received a couple of calls about youths in the Wheatley Hill area causing an annoyance and trying to set wheelie bins on fire.

“Officers are in Wheatley Hill now and have spoken to some youths already.

“If the issues continue then we will be looking at taking youths to Peterlee police station and parents will be summonsed to collect them.

“If you are experiencing anti social behaviour please report via 101.”