Suspected arson at Sunderland home after early-hours fire

A crew from North Moor fire station was called to a house in Fenton Terrace, New Herrington, at 1.30am on Wednesday, July 10.

Watch Manager Ian Richardson said the exact circumstances were unclear, but it was believed the fire had been started deliberately.

He said: “Combustible material of some kind was pushed through the letter box.

“The house was unoccupied at the time but there was a smoke alarm which activated.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 2am today (Wednesday), police were alerted by the fire service to a blaze at an address on Fenton Terrace, New Herrington.

“Officers attended and found that a fire had broken out at an empty property.

“An investigation has been launched, and at this stage, police are treating the incident as suspected arson. Inquiries are ongoing to trace those involved.”