AN unoccupied house in Hartlepool was almost destroyed by a fire early yesterday morning.
Three appliances from Stranton fire station attended the blaze, which had been started deliberately, at a terraced house at Acklam Street, Dyke House, Hartlepool.
Firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the fire.
The lounge was completely destroyed and there was severe smoke and heat damage to the remainder of the ground floor and the first floor.
Station officer Les Love, from Stranton Fire Station, said the house was in the process of being refurbished and had been rewired and the decorating had been started.
He said the arsonists had got in the house by pulling down shutters in a back alley.
He warned against such dangerous behaviour and said: "Boarded up houses give one way in and one way out and that is very dangerous if people get trapped."
He said that the fire was started on an armchair, which had been left in the lounge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article