A MAN and four youths were being questioned last night after a blaze which destroyed a former east Durham sports centre.

The five were arrested during police investigations into the blaze at the disused Lowhills Road centre, in Peterlee, County Durham.

It was shortly after 7.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday that flames were first spotted coming from building, which has been the frequent target of vandals.

At its height, the blaze could be seen as far as 20 miles away. The busy Lowhills Road was closed to traffic for more than four hours.

The fire was so fierce that the first two crews from Peterlee's new station were joined at the scene by two crews from Seaham and one crew from Wheatley Hill, as well as an aerial platform from Durham.

Northumbrian Water was asked to increase the supply and pressure of water at the location to help fight the blaze, which at one point melted the plastic face shield of an officer trying to combat the fire from inside the building.

Firefighters underwent decontamination procedures after it was found that asbestos cladding in the walls of the centre had been severely damaged.

However, County Durham community fire safety officer David Turnbull assured residents in neighbouring houses that they were in no danger.

"It was a calm night and the smoke drifted upwards and out over the sea," he said.

The Lowhills Road Centre was closed about four years ago.

Last night, officers at Peterlee police station confirmed that a 21-year-old man and four youths were being questioned about the fire.

A spokesman described investigations as "ongoing'', and said that it was likely that someone would be charged following the incident