CONCERNS are growing over an increase in arson attacks on Teesside.

New fears follow the death of a dog in the latest incident.

Firefighters were called to a terraced house in Upton Street, Middlesbrough, at about 12.30am yesterday. They found it well alight, with thick smoke pouring out. Fearing that the occupier could be inside, the firefighters fought their way into the house.

They were shocked to discover that a dog had burned to death in the living room.

Station Officer Ron Carr said: "One of the worst things about going into a house like this is that you don't know what you're going to find. It was impossible to tell what kind of dog it was as it was so badly burned. We could not find the owner, but we presume it was his."

SO Carr said there were signs of forced entry, and the police had received a report of windows being broken earlier in the evening.

He said: "The yard and rear doors had been forced. The rear living room window was blown out by the heat and the kitchen and remainder of the ground floor suffered heat and smoke damage.

"It was a very severe fire - it's difficult to understand anyone doing this."

SO Carr said there has been a cluster of similar incidents during the past three or four weeks.

Last night, firefighters were called to another arson in Lockwood Court, Eston. The entire flat was gutted in the blaze, which was started using accelerants, such as petrol.

Acting Station Officer David McGill said: "Whoever started it had poured accelerant over the furniture and carpet. They were very fortunate not to have injured themselves.

"It was a senseless act carried out by someone who had either burgled the flat or who had some kind of vendetta against its occupant."

SO Carr said firefighters had attended five arsons during the past week. He said: "I suspect they might be drugs-related."

A police spokesman said officers were monitoring the situation