A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a petrol bomb attack on a Darlington house started a major fire this morning.

Eye witnesses have told The Northern Echo the blaze, which affected two houses in Rydal Road, was started by a petrol bomb.

"A petrol bomb got smashed through the back window," one woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

The Northern Echo:

"I heard it go off. It was a massive bang. I thought there had been a car crash it was so loud.

"The occupants came round the front and started arguing in the street and I had to call the ambulance and fire brigade.

"Then all of a sudden there was just thick, black smoke everywhere and you couldn't even see in the street."

She said one woman had been taken to hospital in an ambulance and a dog is believed to have died in the property.

The Northern Echo:

"The fire has spread to the house next door but they aren't allowed back in to see what the damage is yet," she added.

Another witness said he saw a man running from the scene after hearing the blast, and gave chase, before deciding to stop and rescue the occupants of the house.

The Northern Echo understands that the house targeted had been raided by police investigating alleged drugs offences several times in recent weeks.

One onlooker said: “The back of the house has got a big hole in it and the front door’s blown off.

“It sounded like a car crash, I heard a big bang and came out, I saw a lot of smoke and two lads from another house ran and pulled people out.

“They were there before the fire brigade.

“This comes as no surprise in this street – the house was just raided last week.

“Their neighbours have a two-year-old girl and they could all have been killed.

“It’s a good job it happened at the weekend because the school’s so close that all the kids walking past at 8.30am could have been killed or hurt.”

Durham Police said a local man, aged 30, has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

A statement from the force said: "Police were called to 14 Rydal Road, Darlington at 8.20am today following a report of two houses on fire. On arrival, Fire and Rescue were in attendance.

"Number 14 has extensive fire damage and number 12 Rydal Road has sustained smoke damage.

"The police are treating this incident as suspicious and once the scene is deemed safe there will be a joint forensic examination with County Durham and Darlington Fire & Rescue.

"Officers are currently speaking with witnesses to establish the full sequence of events and making enquiries into reports a man was seen leaving the immediate area at the time of the incident.

"A local man, aged 30 has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is to be interviewed later today.

"Initially it was thought there may have been people trapped inside but thankfully everyone was accounted for and no-one has been injured.

"Anyone with information please contact police on 101 or contact the independent charity www.crimestoppers-uk.org - 0800 555111."

Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue sent several appliances, including an aerial ladder platform, to the scene on Rydal Road.

A spokesperson said it was initially reported that people were trapped in the property, but all occupants are now accounted for.

At one stage the terraced house was described as being "well alight", with flames spreading to the roof space.

Six fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire, and a fire investigation officer has also been sent to the scene.

The fire drew crowds of onlookers, while police cordoned off the street.