POLICE say it is lucky no-one was hurt in two house fires.

Durham Police believes the fires, which both broke out in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, in the early hours of Monday, April 1, were both started deliberately.

The first was in the garden of an empty house on Aldridge Court. The outside of the house and its back door was damaged.

The second happened in a shed on Bay Court. Again, the outside of the house was damaged. Three children, including a four-month-old girl, were in the house at the time.

Detective Constable Malcolm Bell, of Durham CID, said: “I am appealing for witnesses in what could have been tragic circumstances.

“The fires appear to have been set for no reason.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 101.