OFFICERS investigating an arson attack that damaged five cars and blew the windows from a house have issued a fresh appeal for information.

Emergency services were called to Seventh Street, Horden, County Durham at around 1.05am on Tuesday morning after a Hyundai, and Audi A3 and a Vauxhall were set alight.

The window of a nearby unoccupied property were also damaged by the heat from the fires.

Detective Constable Rachael Austin Teasdale, from Peterlee CID, said: “We are currently treating the incident as arson and we need information to help identify those responsible.

“We would like to reassure the public that all information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.”

Three crews rom County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) also responded and extinguished the fires but a further two vehicles were damaged.

A spokesman said: “Firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the car fire under control.

“Fortunately there were no reported injuries and a joint investigation with Durham Constabulary has been launched into the cause of the fire.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.