POLICE fear someone could be seriously hurt or even killed after a string of arson attacks on a housing estate over the last week.

Teenagers are suspected of being behind starting at least four fires in as many days in the Bridgehill area, near Consett and detectives say they believe all the attacks are linked.

In the most dangerous incident, a young family with school-age children had a terrifying escape when their house was engulfed with smoke from an early morning cellar fire as they got ready for school.

Luckily, the property had a smoke alarm fitted and they were alerted in time to make their escape, but detectives investigating the series of attacks fear someone could be seriously injured if they continue to escalate.

Inspector Keith Wardle, of Consett Neighbourhood Policing team, said “Had the family not had smoke alarms installed this incident could have resulted in the loss of life.

“The persons responsible for these attacks needs to be identified and dealt with before someone is seriously hurt, I would ask anyone with any information to contact us.”

The arson attacks began on Sunday evening when several fence panels were set alight in the Chaytor Road area.

Witnesses told police that four unidentified teenagers were seen running away from the location around the time of the incident.

The second incident took place in nearby Pemberton Road on the Tuesday evening when a garden gate was set on fire.

Arsonists then struck again early on Wednesday morning when another fence was set on fire in the Chaytor road area.

Most seriously, at around the same time, a fire was started in the cellar of a home in Chaytor Road.

The family were at home at the time of the incident, with children upstairs getting ready for school.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “They were alerted by the smoke alarm and discovered the ground floor was engulfed in smoke.

“Police believe all these incidents are linked and the escalation from causing damages to fences to the deliberate targeting of an occupied house is of serious concern to local police”.

Officers are urging anyone with information relating to any of the incidents to contact DC Myers at Consett CID or the non-emergency 101 number or alternatively ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.