Man arrested after family flee house fire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a family were forced to flee a house fire.

Mum-of-six Tracy Husband described the alleged attack on her home as “the most terrifying experience of her life” after she and seven members of her family rushed to safety when the sitting room caught fire.

Tracy, 53, said she was waiting for police to arrive, following an earlier incident in which her front windows were smashed, when an object was suddenly hurled through the same windows.

Northumbria Police launched criminal damage and arson investigations in connection with the incidents in Sunderland Street, Houghton, on Tuesday, December 8, last year.

They have now confirmed that they have since arrested a 28- year-old man on suspicion of arson. He was later released on bail while inquiries continue.

Fire fighters spent 20 minutes tackling the blaze just before 7am.

Tracy told how two of her children, Casey Newall, 19, and Havannah Newall, 12, were upstairs along with four of her grandchildren, aged between four and nine.

While Tracy and partner Antony Newall, 58, doused the flames, a neighbour rushed across with some ladders so that the youngsters could climb down via a flat first-floor rear roof.

Tracy,afull-timecarerfor Antony, said: “The ladders weren’t big enough to reach. Fortunately we were able to lead everyone down the stairs and out of the house.”

Anyone with information is urged to ring the police on 101, quoting log 109 081220.