Arson investigation launched after car fire outside Sunderland home

Twelve firefighters were called to Grafton Street, Millfield, in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4 following reports of a Land Rover Freelander on fire.

The blaze had spread to an end-of-terrace cottage, with the first floor of the property left smoke damaged. The car was destroyed.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman told the Echo: "Shortly before 2.15am today (Wednesday), we received a report a vehicle was on fire on Grafton Street, Sunderland.

"Emergency services attended and the fire, which had then spread to a nearby property was extinguished. Nobody was injured.

"An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, which police are treating as suspected arson.”

Three people were taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident.

Contact 101 quoting reference 0066 041219 with any information or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.