A CALL has been made for urgent action to secure empty houses earmarked for demolition, after a blaze in a derelict property threatened homes.

On Monday night, residents of Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, watched as a fire started by arsonists ripped through two empty terraced houses on Arthur Street. Fire crews battled for two hours to stop the flames spreading to other homes on the row, some of which were inhabited. People were evacuated as smoke spread under the eaves and into three occupied homes.

According to Wear Valley councillor Chris Foote Wood, it is not the first time fire has damaged empty properties in the area. The homes, mostly privately owned, are among those due to be demolished in an area of Eldon Lane known as The Hollow, and have been repeatedly targeted by vandals.

Wear Valley District Council plans to demolish up to 51 houses and modernise another 338 in a £2m scheme to revitalise the area and halt further decline.

Coun Foote Wood said residents living in the area are 'terrified' as empty houses around them are vandalised and he is calling for empty houses to be secured or demolished for people's safety.

He said: "The council must take immediate action. We can't allow this situation to go on. I've been speaking to residents who are very frightened and very annoyed.

"On the same terrace there are homes which are occupied. These houses are very, very tightly packed together and it's very easy for fire and smoke to spread. The council must either demolish the empty houses or brick them up."

Director of housing for Wear Valley Council, Frank Bouweraerts said: "We are arranging for a senior officer to visit all the remaining occupants over the next day or two with the aim of getting these people rehoused as soon as possible. We are in the process of buying these houses from the owners because we cannot demolish them until they are in our ownership.