A MAN has today (Sunday, February 15) been arrested on suspicion of arson following a spate of suspicious fires in Stanley, County Durham.

The 26-year-old man remains in police custody.

Police said that a number of people were fortunate not to have been seriously injured after a number of fires broke out between 3am and 5am on Saturday in the Poets Estate area.

Superintendent Kerrin Smith said this afternoon: "Regular police patrols will continue in the area and updates for the community will be posted on our social media pages and develivered by our Neighbourhood Watch network.

"We'd like to reiterate our appeal from yesterday that anyone with information that might help our investigation into the fires gets in touch by calling us on 101 or by the independent charity Crimestoppers who can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111."

An 84-year-old woman was taken to hospital suffering with smoke inhalation following one of the fires and her condition was described as stable.

The fires involved wheelie bins or newspapers shoved under car wheel arches and set alight.

The incidents occurred in Joicey Gardens, Kneller Close, Reynolds Close and Byron Close.

Supt Smith added: “Fortunately no-one was more seriously injured in these attacks, but it could have been much worse."

A link to an incident of arson at Burnside School is not being ruled out.