A FILM editor captured the dramatic moments after a car was deliberately rammed into a takeaway and set alight - before the culprits fled the scene.

Chas Stoddard was at home when he was alerted to the incident at Sizzlers takeaway in Blackhills Road, in Horden, east Durham, at about 9.30pm on Wednesday night.

He said: "My conservatory looks down on that street and I and saw smoke coming from somewhere. I popped my head out the front door and saw sheets of flame ripping out from the front of Sizzlers takeaway.

"I grabbed my phone and called the fire brigade and they "said yes we're sending someone down".

The Northern Echo: The aftermath of the fire at Sizzlers in Hordon Picture: CHAS STODDARDThe aftermath of the fire at Sizzlers in Hordon Picture: CHAD STODDARD

"I went down and saw there's this great big Mitsubishi Shogun that has reversed into the building. It was perpendicular. It must have been deliberate and was obviously driven back at high speed.

"It is a diesel, which is hard to set alight, so it may well be that an accelerant was used.

Mr Stottard added: "Wthin seconds of me starting to film I could hear the sirens. The fire brigade were there within minutes. The extinguished the flames immediately. Had they not responded as quickly the fire would have spread to the building.

"The lads in the shop next door to the takeaway had managed to get out safely and were all standing around. They said they were fine. "

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to a premises in Horden last night following reports of a vehicle colliding with a building.

"It is believed a black Mitsubishi shogun was driven into the entrance of Sizzlers shortly after 9.30pm. The occupants then set the vehicle alight before making off on foot in an unknown direction.

"A joint investigation is now underway with County Durham and Darlington fire and rescue service."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Peterlee CID on 101 quoting incident number 390 of January 13.