TWO men have been arrested following a suspicious fire that has left residents of a terraced street living in a hotel.

Police have arrested two men, aged 23 and 27, from Durham City, on suspicion of arson following a ferocious blaze in nearby Sherburn Village, yesterday morning. (Monday, March 29)

Fire broke out in an empty property on Sherburn Station, at the bottom of Front Street, and quickly spread to other houses.

Severe damage was caused to six terraced homes with the roof of the large house at the end collapsing completely.

The men have been interviewed and released on police bail, pending further enquiries until mid-May.

No-one was hurt but all the houses suffered smoke and water damage.

A joint fire and police investigation has begun and forensic investigators have been at the scene this morning.

Detective Inspector Dunny McCubbin, of Durham CID, said: “Our investigation with the fire service is in the early stages, and there were a number of measures which had to be taken to ensure the properties were safe to enter today.”

Residents have been put up in The Premier Inn at nearby Belmont until more permanent accommodation can be arranged.

Paul Anderson, 60, who has lived in his mid-terraced house for 35 years, said his family has lost all of their treasured possessions.

The father-of-two said: “All of photos have gone, everything has gone. There were a lot of memories and personal possessions. It is now just one big black heap.”

Mr Anderson said the community has rallied around to help those who have had to leave their homes.

He said: “We have really good neighbours here and everyone is helping each other. There has been any amount of offers of help from people in the village as well as friends and family. We could not ask for anything thing else.

“Everyone has been fantastic and no-one was hurt. That is the main thing.”

Mr Anderson, whose children have grown up, said he and his wife expect to be in rented accommodation until their home is repaired, which could take a year.

He said: “It is not the best of times for anyone. We have got to sort things out with the loss adjusters.

“We will be back though. It is the family home. We have got to come back.”