INVESTIGATIONS have been launched into two fires in County Durham overnight.

In one incident, a vehicle fire spread to a caravan and the outside of a house in Peterlee.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at 12.10am this morning. Pumps from Seaham, Spennymoor and Durham attended and the blaze was dealt with by 12.39am.

A spokesperson said there is an ongoing investigation to establish the cause.

A large fire earlier in the night, at Wheatley Hill Dog Racing Track, is being treated as suspicious.

A fire brigade spokesperson said crews were called to reports of a building on fire in the Black Lane area of Wheatley Hill at 11.20pm on Sunday, November 17.  

Initially two fire engines attended and a further two crews and the bulk water carrier were deployed soon after, four crews in total from Wheatley Hill, two crews from Peterlee, one from Durham fought the fire for over an hour and the fire was under control just before 1am.

Two crews remained at the scene overnight and a further crew has visited today, to ensure the area is safe.  

Fire investigators are now liaising with Durham Constabulary to begin an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information regarding a possible cause should call FireStoppers on 0800-1695558.