A FIRE which gutted an empty mid terrace home is being treated as suspicious by investigators.

Firecrews braved searing temperatures to tackle the blaze which swept through the house on Station Road West, Trimdon Station, County Durham.

Emergency services arrived at 7.40pm on Tuesday (February 5).

There were fears someone could be trapped inside.

A 999 call had suggested lights had been seen in the property but extensive searches revealed no-one was in the mid terrace property.

Durham Constabulary and Darlington and Durham Fire and Rescue  have now launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and reports that figures were seen running away from the area.

Anyone who can help with the police enquiries should call Peterlee CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.