Boy, 10, seriously hurt in suspected arson

The fire started in a bin and spread to the house in Peterlee

A 10-year-old boy has been seriously injured in a suspected arson attack.

The boy and his 21-year-old brother were at home in Peterlee's Forth Close when the fire spread from a wheelie bin to the house.

They were taken to hospital where the boy is expected to need lengthy treatment.

Durham Constabulary said a local man in his mid-20s had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has since been released on bail.

A family pet died in the fire

The fire was spotted at just after 01:15 GMT on 14 December and caused extensive damage to the upstairs flat.

The victims were inside at the time, while their father was at work.

Firefighters rescued the brothers and they were taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The boy suffered extensive serious burns and and has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Durham Constabulary said his condition was no longer considered life-threatening.

The 21-year-old suffered minor burns and the effects of smoke inhalation, while one of the family’s two pet dogs died in the blaze.

Police have asked anyone with information which might help the inquiry to come forward "as a matter of urgency".

Det Ch Insp Lindsay Banks-Brown said: “This was a young boy, who should have been safe in his family home, and whose life will never be the same again.

“It is an horrendous incident, but frankly it could have been even worse – we could easily have been dealing with a fatal house fire in which a child lost their life."