POLICE treated a fire which started at a sports centre last night as suspicious.

Firefighters went to Eastbourne Sports Complex in Darlington when an alarm was activated at about 7pm.

Several people were evacuated while officers wearing breathing apparatus dealt with the incident.

A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said there was a small fire in a toilet block at the centre on Bourne Road.

The incident was brought under control after about 15 minutes.

A spokesman for Darlington Police said the fire may have been started deliberately and it would be investigating.