Police treating Bishop Auckland fire as 'suspicious'

Emergency services were called to Saddler Street, off Newgate Street, in Bishop Auckland shortly after 8pm on Wednesday, June 18.

Two fire engines from Bishop Auckland Fire Station responded to the blaze, with crews finding a cardboard compacting machine alight inside the empty property.

The scene in Bishop Auckland yesterday (Image: LEWIS TAYLOR) Durham Police has since confirmed the fire is being treated as 'suspicious' and said an investigation is underway.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police were called just before 8.20pm yesterday (June 18) following a fire at an empty building on Saddler Street, in Bishop Auckland. The fire is being treated as suspicious and a police investigation is underway.”

The scene in Bishop Auckland yesterday (Image: LEWIS TAYLOR)

The scene in Bishop Auckland yesterday (Image: LEWIS TAYLOR) County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said they used two hose reels to extinguish the flames.

A spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.05pm last night (June 18) to a fire at a derelict building on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland.

“Two fire engines from Bishop Auckland attended and found a cardboard compacting machine was on fire.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels, three thermal imaging cameras and the positive pressure ventilation fan for smoke clearance. Crews left the scene at 9.25pm.”