A FIRE at an allotment, which killed six pigs, two goats, poultry and wildfowl, is being treated as arson.

A criminal investigation into the blaze, which destroyed wooden structures at Catchgate Allotments, near Stanley, is now underway.

Emergency services were called to the rear of Swan Street at around 1am on Sunday morning and police have confirmed they believe the fire was started deliberately.

Acting Inspector Dave Clarke said: “It is sickening to think someone would do this with all of those animals in there.

“It is horrendous. You can only imagine what these animals will have gone through. The people who own them will be devastated.

“This fire has meant that a number of defenceless animals have lost their lives and those responsible need to be brought to justice.”

This is the second fire at the allotment in the last month.

A joint fire and police investigation is now underway to establish the cause.

Acting Insp Clarke said: “Catchgate is a close-knit community and they will rally round to support each other in times of need.

“If you know who is responsible, please come forward as any information will be treated in the utmost confidence.”

It is understood horses who were kept near the allotment survived the blaze.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “This is obviously a very distressing incident for the allotment holder and we are liaising closely with the association which runs the site, which is providing support to the individual.”

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and put out all fires.

A service spokesman said: “We were alerted to a fire at an allotment site in Catchgate just before 1am on Sunday, July 8.

“Three crews from Consett and Durham were deployed to the scene where four large outbuildings were well alight.

“Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, firefighters were only able to save some of the animals which lived on the allotment and several died at the scene.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has CCTV in the area is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 52 of July 8.