Firefighters spent several hours tackling a massive fire in former County Durham care home following a suspected arson attack at the weekend.
Emergency services were alerted to fire at the derelict Ashley House, Trimdon Station, at 3.30pm on Sunday (July 3).
At the height of the incident, five appliances as well as an aerial ladder platform were in attendance, along with a number of police vehicles which closed Thornley Road between the B1278 and Station Road West.
Read more: Two people hospitalised after Langdale Road incident in Darlington
Resident Paul Whitelock said: “I phoned the fire brigade at around 3.34pm as I had come out and seen smoke coming from the roof, right as the flames were flaring up.”
“A bloke walking down the street told me he saw two kids running away just before I had come out.”
“It's the old nursing home building, it hasn't been sealed correctly. Police are aware it's a problem but kids keep finding ways to get back in.”
“Every time children go in I make a call. Nearly every week that's happening. Hundreds of calls I've made to police, I've even spoken to councillors and the fire brigade whilst they are carrying out derelict building checks.”
He added: “I've said this was going to happen and it has. Still had loads of mattresses inside and old clothes. They've used the building as a dump.
“We had a petition that went to the council and nothing has happened. Hopefully now the fire brigade will get them to take the building down because it needs to happen.”
Darlington Fire and Rescue Service group manager Michael Pearson said: “We were called to reports of the former care home in Trimdon Station on fire at about 3:30 PM on Sunday.
“We had our first appliance on the scene within six minutes. In total there were five appliances in attendance. They were from the Wheatley Hill, Peterlee and Seaham fire stations.
“An aerial platform ladder travelled from the Darlington fire station as well.
He added: “In terms of extinguishing the fire we used used three jets, with firefighters using breathing apparatus.
“It is a two storey building and the aerial ladder platform was used as well. We had to removes tiles from the roof to gain access to extinguish the the fire.
”The last appliance left the scene at about 10pm, so we were there for several hours."
Mr Pearson added: “The building is a former care home and we are working with the police to investigate what is believed to be a deliberate fire started in the conservatory area of the building."
Durham Police have been contacted.
If anyone has information about the fire, or similar incidents, they are urged to ring Firestoppers’ hotline, anonymously, on 0800-169 5558.
Reports can also be made online #Firestoppers #HelpUsHelpYou.
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