A TEACHER who condemned antisocial behaviour in his village has spoken of his heartbreak after a second fire broke out at his home almost 24 hours after a suspected arson attack.

Residents were again evacuated from their houses in the early hours of this morning after another ferocious blaze in Wingate, near Peterlee.

Emergency services were called 1.30am on Friday, and are now carrying out an investigation to determine if the fires were started deliberately.

Sean Ivey, was in bed with wife Kate, a nurse, while their seven-year-old daughter, and son, five, slept nearby when the first fire broke out and destroyed their home as well as the car and caravan parked on the drive.

Now they are staying with friends and have no idea when they will be able to return to their home.

Mr Ivey, 38, who teaches at Hartlepool College, said: “Someone knocked on the door this morning and said the house was on fire again.

“The fire engines were already there, but I don’t know what the circumstances are."

Crime scene specialists from Durham Constabulary and fire investigators are currently at the quiet east Durham cul-de-sac.

The Northern Echo:

On Wednesday, Mr Ivey posted a message on Facebook claiming four armed men had stolen money, alcohol and personal items from his parents’ house the previous evening.

And on Saturday he posted a picture of a young motorcyclist pulling a wheelie in the village, urging the community to pull together to take a stand against antisocial behaviour.

Mr Ivey, 38, who served with the Royal Marines for 15 years, said: “I am just fed up with it.

“I did not expect this to happen. I feel so guilty though for highlighting the fact that this is going on and now this has happened to my family.”

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the initial fire on suspicion of arson.

The Northern Echo:

Police have said the investigation is ongoing.

The fires have damaged irreplaceable items of sentimental value, including Mr Ivey’s Royal Marines uniforms and a treasured Newcastle United football shirt signed by Alan Shearer, along with programmes and ticket stubs from his testimonial game at St James’ Park.

Neighbours said it was usually a quiet street and the extent of the damage has stunned residents.

One woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she and her husband had to leave their house to stay with friends once again in the early hours of this morning.

She said: “It was in the back end of the house and you could see all of the flames rushing out of the house. It was quite intense

“We had been asleep but we just got our clothes and went out. It is normally a lovely estate and now this has happened.

"It is frightening. I cannot believe it.”

The Northern Echo:

An online appeal to help Mr Ivey, who suffered a head injury while he was serving, had raised over £40,000 by Friday evening.

Keith Miller, who set up the Just Giving page, wrote: “I served with Sean at 45 Commando and he is a man of exceptional character with integrity and humility.”

Mr Ivey has spoken to Sedgefield MP Paul Howell about what has happened and the wider issue of antisocial behaviour.

Mr Howell said: "It is clearly very disturbing, what has happened, but the public reaction in support of the family is fantastic and we need to make this a tipping point.

"I have spoken with the police and the family and everyone is focused on sorting this and improving the lot of local people.

"Anyone who knows anything should stand behind this family and share anything they know.

"Crimestoppers will accept anonymous information and I would encourage as many people as possible to call in.

"You might have the last piece of a jigsaw.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 101 or Crime stoppers on 0800-555-111.