A FIRE which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a family-run business is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.

Cindy Bennett, who runs glazing and glass cutting business Andy Glass alongside her husband, Gary, said it felt "the world crashing down on them" after an industrial shed which they had been using to store materials went up in flames.

The couple are just weeks away from moving their business, currently located on St Barnabas Road in Middlesbrough, to a new location.

The business has been in operation for almost 30 years and has been run by its current owners for the last four years.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police confirmed the fire was being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and “inquiries are ongoing”.

Almost 100 residents of St Barnabas Road were left without power for hours after the large fire.

Numerous fire engines visited the scene to battle the blaze, which took seven hours to put out.

A police cordon remained in place throughout Sunday as an investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

Anyone with information or who has seen anything suspicious is asked to contact Cleveland Police via 101 quoting Event 132882.