DETECTIVES investigating a fire in a derelict building last night have confirmed it is being treated as an arson attack.

Police and firefighters were called to the blaze on Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, at about 9.30pm last night.

Six fire appliances from Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Durham, Darlington, and the Ariel ladder platform from Durham attended the scene and crews have to use cutting equipment to get into the property.

The fire was extinguished and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service handed over the incident to Durham police in the early hours of this morning.

The force has since confirmed that it is treating the fire as arson and an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson said: "Police were called to reports of a fire at a derelict building on Kingsway, Bishop Auckland shortly after 9.30pm last night (December 7).

"Kingsway remains closed at the junction with South Church Road and Durham Road.

"The fire is being treated as arson and an investigation is currently ongoing."

The road of Kingsway is currently shut, at the junction at South Church Road, until further notice.

Read more: Former CEF building in Bishop Auckland hit by large fire

 

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