FIREFIGHTERS believe a group of drug users deliberately set fire to an unoccupied house in Scarborough Street, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, at 1am on Saturday.

They found old clothes, bedding and furniture alight when they arrived to tackle the blaze, which left the bedroom fire damaged.

Smoke also filtered into the loft of the next-door property, angering the neighbour.

South Bank Station Officer Stephen Owens said: "She has been worried about the security at the property for some time and now here fears have been realised."

Cleveland Police are investigating.