Four on bail after ‘arson attack’ on Newton Aycliffe home

Emergency services were called to a terrace property on Ashfield at around 8.45am yesterday, February 20.

The fire is being treated as arson, and a police investigation was launched.

A fire and crime scene investigator were examining the home on Friday afternoon (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Pictures from the scene showed a Durham Police van and a crime scene investigation van outside the property.

Four men, aged between 23 and 34, were arrested on Thursday afternoon and taken into police custody.

In a new update from Durham Constabulary, they have since been released on bail while further enquiries are carried out.

CSI van and fire investigation car on the scene yesterday (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Residents described the incident as “frightening” as police and fire crews flooded the street during the morning school run.

One man said: “It’s a quiet road. You get the odd stuff which you do anywhere now, but it’s never usually as full as it was with police all over.

“I was just leaving the house when they all came, and with the school run and everything, it was really busy.

“I’ve heard everyone is okay, but the house doesn’t look good.”

A police cordon was around the home whilst investigations were carried out (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

A woman who lives a few doors away said she had initially heard nothing while out on the school run, but was alarmed when she returned.

She said: “We were frightened, as when I was heading back, we didn’t know whether it was ours, but it’s all okay, it’s just that property affected.”

The picture shows the blackened entrance way to the home after the fire (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 8.37am today (February 20) to a house fire on Ashfield in Newton Aycliffe.

“Three fire engines from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe Fire Stations attended the incident.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel to put out the fire and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the smoke.

“Crews left the scene at 9.41am.”

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary added: “Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 67 of February 20.

“Information can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”