Shocked resident awoken to see car being driven into house and causing 'significant damage'

Durham Police received reports of a vehicle being driven into the terraced house on Handley Street in Horden, just off the A1086, at around 11.30pm on Saturday, August 29.

An eyewitness said the vehicle was reversed three times into the property before speeding off.

A short time later a silver Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4, believed to be connected with the incident, was found on fire on Eastdene Way, Peterlee.

No occupants of the house, nor any neighbours received any injuries. However, significant damage was caused to the property and residents were evacuated.

Firefighters put out the blaze and the car was taken away at around 9.30am the following morning.

One shocked Handley Street resident said: “I woke up to hear a car speeding. I thought it was hitting the traffic island at the top of the street. But I looked out of the bedroom window and saw it being driven into the house.

“The police came and we were asked to go and spend some time in McDonald’s. I had to stand on the street for an hour. I didn’t get back into the house until two in the morning.”

Durham Police have confirmed that some residents were evacuated and say there is “significant damage” to the house.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “Police received reports of a vehicle colliding with a house on Handley Street, Horden, at around 11.30pm yesterday (Saturday, August 29).

“No occupants or neighbours received any injuries, however significant damage was caused to the property, and residents were evacuated.

"A silver Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4, believed to be connected with the incident, was located on fire shortly after on East Dene Way, Peterlee.”Anyone who might have information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Cook of Peterlee CID on 101, quoting incident number 453 of August 29.

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