A man is due to appear in court next month after being charged in connection with a suspected arson at a County Durham home.

Christopher Nairns, 26, from Blackhall, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life following a house fire at Attlee Avenue, Blackhall in the early hours of July 12.

No one was injured in the blaze which spread to a second property and caused significant damage.

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The cause of the fire was believed to be suspicious and a police investigation was launched following the incident.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "A man is to appear in court charged in connection with a fire at a house in County Durham earlier this month.

"In the early hours of July 12, emergency services were called to Attlee Avenue, Blackhall following a house fire which spread to a second property.

"Thankfully, no-one was injured in the incident, but the fire caused considerable damage.

"Christopher Nairns, a 26-year-old from Blackhall, has now been charged with arson with intent to endanger life."

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Nairns has also been charged with driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

He appeared before magistrates court last week and has been remanded to appear before Durham Crown Court on August 25.

A GoFundMe page was set up in the aftermath of the fire and raised £2,318 for those affected.