POLICE have revealed they are treating a fire which swept through a terraced house as suspicious.

The blaze started in the attic of property in Stanhope Road North, Darlington, shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.

No one was injured in the incident.

Four fire crews tackled the blaze, which was brought under control around 9pm, and paramedics were also put on standby at the scene.

Police closed a section of the road while firefighters dealt with the incident, and officers were today (Wednesday, December 12) patrolling outside the property.

The house has been cordoned off, and police and fire investigators are surveying the scene.

A police spokesman said: “We are treating the fire as suspicious and working with the fire service to gather forensic evidence and carry out a full investigation.

“The fire caused substantial damage and the property has now been boarded up.”