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Man arrested in arson attack investigation

BBC A two-storey, brick house which has suffered bad fire damage on the ground floor. The bay window has been smashed and inside it completely blackened. There is smoke damage above the front door.BBC
The second attack happened before 20:00 GMT on 5 March

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and released on bail following a spate of suspected arson attacks in a town.

Durham Police said two men on a scooter threw a brick through the window of a house on Lilburne Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, on 5 March, before pouring petrol through it and setting it alight.

One person was inside the house but was unharmed, the force said.

A spokeswoman said it was believed the fire was connected to a similar blaze which also destroyed two cars in Beechfield on 3 March.

Two cars in a row of parked cars are severely burnt. The red car has its bonnet open and the engine compartment is a mass of grey, tangled, burnt metal and charred remains. Beside it is a white car which is also burnt but less damaged.
Two cars were destroyed in the blaze which happened in Beechfield on 3 March

A force spokeswoman said a man had been arrested on 8 March and he had since been bailed with conditions.

"Inquiries continue to trace those responsible," she added.

At the time of the attacks, the force said they were not believed to be "random" and there was no threat to the wider community.

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