AN ELDERLY man had to be rescued and treated for smoke inhalation after arsonists broke into his house on Monday night.

Road closures were in place on Southfield Road in Middlesbrough yesterday for utility companies to carry out checks after two fires took place within minutes of each other on Monday night, near the town centre.

Emergency services were first called to an empty property, on Southfield Road, at about 7.25pm, which caused extensive damage to that property, plus adjoining buildings.

The second fire was reported at a house in nearby Haddon Street at 7.40pm when someone gained entry to the home.

A fire was lit in a downstairs room.

An elderly gentleman was rescued by the Fire Brigade from an upstairs bedroom, and taken to James Cook University Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

A road closure was put in place on Southfield Road between the junctions of Errol Street and Egerton Street for utility company checks, until yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police’s Major Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.