Family flee house blaze

A fire which caused a mother and three children to flee their Darlington home on Monday night might have been started accidentally by one of the children, police said.

The family escaped from the home in Witton Crescent before firefighters arrived at 9pm, but the woman and two of the children were treated for smoke inhalation.

BUS CRASH: An Arriva bus and Toyota Hiace van were in collision in North Road, Darlington, yesterday, at 2pm. The male driver of the van was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and a female passenger on the bus had to be freed by firefighters before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

SEQUENCE DANCING: A sequence dance is being held at Heighington Village Hall on Thursday, January 31, at 7.30pm.

EMBROIDERY SALE: A sale of embroidery kits, threads, fabrics, hand-made cards and jewellery is being held at 13 Castle Close, Middleton St George, on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. There will be ten per cent discount for Darlington Women's Business Network members.

COUNCIL MEETING: Great Aycliffe Town Council's policy and resources committee meets at the council offices, School Aycliffe Lane, today, at 7.15pm.

SHED RAID: £500 worth of golf equipment, including Wilson woods, Tripower irons, a green and gold Jaguar bag and waterproof clothing, were stolen from a shed in Sorrell Wynd, Newton Aycliffe, between noon on January 10 and 10am on Monday.

VANS STOLEN: A white Leyland Daf box van, registration R594 KNR, worth £11,000, was stolen from a factory unit in Gurney Way, on the Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate, between 11pm on Sunday and 5am on Monday. A white Ford Transit van, registration S468 WKY, worth £3,000, was stolen from Ketton Way, on the same estate, between 5pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday.

HOUSE BURGLARY: Credit cards, clothes and jewellery were among items stolen from a house in Kenny Walk, Newton Aycliffe, between 5pm and 7pm on Sunday.

JOINER NEEDED: Help the Aged is looking for a retired joiner to fit security equipment to the homes of pensioners on an expenses only basis, initially in the Newton Aycliffe and Shildon areas. Contact Peter Beaty on (01325) 313924 for details.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Sedgefield Borough Council's executive committee is meeting in the council offices at Green Lane, Spennymoor, tomorrow at 10am.

GARDEN THIEVES: A Black and Decker garden vacuum and a lawn mower,both worth £100, were stolen from a shed in a garden in Bourne Way, Willington, between 4pm on Sunday and 9am on Monday.

BALLOON WANTED: The organisers of a country fair in Spennymoor are looking for someone to supply a hot air balloon for tethered rides. Anyone able to help can contact Peter Beaty on (01325) 313924