Yahoo News Forensics at scene of Burnhope house fire as police confirm incident being treated as arson
A large police cordon is in place on a North East residential street today following reports of a house fire in the area.
Forensic officers have been carrying out investigations at a home in Burnhope, County Durham, as police confirm that officers are treating the incident as arson.
Emergency services were called to a report of a house fire on Front Street at 9.25pm yesterday. Fire crews from two local stations were deployed to the incident and were on scene for almost two hours to extinguish the blaze.
However, a large police presence has remained in the area and a cordon is expected to remain in place for some time.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Police were called shortly after 9.30pm last night (August 27) to an address on Front Street (Holmside Lane), Burnhope, following reports of a fire.
"Thankfully, nobody is believed to have been injured. Officers are treating the incident as arson and an investigation is underway."
Photos from the scene show a house on the street with extensive damage to an external wall and gate, as well as a number of broken windows. And police are appealing to members of the public who may have any information or dashcam footage which could assist in their investigations.
The spokesperson for Durham Police added: "Detectives are now appealing for information and anyone with dashcam footage covering the area at the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Durham CID on 101 quoting incident number 410 of August 27.The road remains closed in both directions."
A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) spokesperson said: "We were called at around 9.35pm on Tuesday, August 27 to a fire at a property on Front Street in Burnhope, Durham.
"One fire engine from High Handenhold Fire Station and one from Durham Fire Station attended. Crews used a high-pressure hose reel jet to put out the fire. Crews left the scene at around 11.25pm."
