House fire caused by burning sofa

A fire which damaged a house in Sunderland was started deliberately outside the building.

Crews were called to the property in Hastings Street, Hendon, late on Wednesday, where flames had spread from the kitchen to an upstairs bedroom.

Fire officers said the blaze started when a sofa was placed against the back wall of the house and set alight.

The semi-detached house was empty at the time of the fire. The house next door also received smoke damage.