POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a suspected arson attack.
A neighbour raised the alarm after spotting the blaze at about 1.15am on Saturday, in a terraced house in Haig Street, Ferryhill Station, County Durham.
The man, who is in his 50s, then alerted a family of five sleeping in an adjoining house. A couple and their three teenage granddaughters escaped unharmed.
The fire is thought to have started in the back bedroom of the house. It gutted the upper storey of the property, which had been empty for some time.
The adjoining house in which the family was sleeping suffered smoke damage.
PC Neil Northend, beat officer for Ferryhill Station, said: "We are taking this matter very seriously indeed.
"Luckily a neighbour saw that the house was alight and alerted the people sleeping in the adjoining property, who might otherwise have died.''
Witnesses are asked to call (01325) 314401.
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