Stolen car set on fire on Sparrow Hall Drive, Darlington

Emergency services were called to Sparrow Hall Drive in the early hours of this morning (Monday, March 23) following reports of a vehicle fire.

Police have confirmed that the car was reported stolen.

Smoke at 4am in Darlington after the car fire (Image: UGC)

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A resident told The Northern Echo: “I was woken up by what I assume to be an explosion.

“Not sure what it was yet, but there was big billowing smoke in the Wylam Hill, Five Arches area.”

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “Shortly after 6am today (Monday), we received a report of a vehicle fire in the Sparrowhall Drive area of Darlington.

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“One crew from Darlington Fire Station attended to put out the fire, leaving the area shortly before 6.40am.”

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The car on Monday morning (March 23) after it was reported stolen and found set alight (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “Police were called by the fire service shortly before 6.15am today (March 23) to a vehicle on fire on Sparrow Hall Drive, in Darlington.

“The car is believed to have been stolen.”