Darlington arson attack believed to be linked to Gipsy feud

A house in the town's Yarm Road was targeted in the early hours of Sunday morning when the family - believed to be members of the traveller community - were not at home.

Fire broke out in the doorway to the property, causing severe damage to the front door and a window.

A fire investigator at the scene. Photo: Matt Westcott

Neighbours believe a petrol bomb was thrown at the house, although police and firefighters are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

A passing motorist reported the fire and it was quickly brought under control by fire crews, who along with police remained at the scene on Sunday.

Chief Inspector Sue Robinson confirmed an accelerant had been used and said the police were investigating several lines of inquiry.

“The call came in from a motorist at around 2.30am and the fire service and ourselves attended to find the entrance to the property on fire.

“It was quickly put out and is currently being investigated by the fire service and police.

“The house was not occupied at the time, though it is a family home.

“An accelerant was used and damage was caused to the entrance of the premises.

“We are not sure if the attack is connected to a travellers’ feud but that is part of the investigation.”

Chief Insp Robinson said the investigation was still in its early stages. 

She added: “We’d like to appeal to anybody who was in the area between 1.30am and 2.30am to tell us if they saw any suspicious vehicles or people.”

An Eastbourne resident said the incident was one of many recent attacks on properties in the area.

He said: “It is a travellers’ house and not the only one to have been targeted lately.

“There’s always something going on and I don’t know where it’s going to end, someone will be killed.

“We’re all worried in case the wrong house is targeted as part of this.”

The front door of the property was boarded up on Sunday afternoon.

Charred and blackened pieces of wood lay around the doorstep. 

A woman at the property said she was "too upset" to comment.

At the time of writing, no arrests had been made.

In November last year, a major police investigation was launched after the skulls of two teenagers were taken from graves at Metal Bridge Cemetery, near Spennymoor, in an incident believed to be part of an ongoing feud between Gipsies. 

The grave belonged to two brothers, Levi George Price and Gareth Price, who both took their own lives aged 16 in 2001 and 2005 respectively.

It is thought the incident was an escalation of the dispute which has seen a stolen lorry deliberately reversed into the front of a house in Lynton Gardens, in Darlington, the same month.

Six days earlier a stolen horse box was rammed into a bungalow on the outskirts of the town.

Both homes suffered extensive damage.

These attacks came a month after five men petrol bombed a third house in the town.

A police CSI unit on the scene of the arson attack. Photo: Matt Westcott

Police from five forces took part in a operation to stop the violence.

During searches of a traveller site in Doncaster two submachine guns and ammunition was found.

A pistol was also discovered along with shotgun ammunition.

Four men from the Doncaster area and have been charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

They are to stand trial in May.

Anyone with information should contact police on non-emergency number 101.