ARSONISTS are being blamed for a fire inside a postbox.
The Royal Mail postbox in Brougham Terrace, in the Dyke House area of Hartlepool, was set alight at around 5pm yesterday.
It is not yet known how much mail was damaged in the incident but the postbox was last emptied at 12.15pm yesterday.
One crew from Stranton Fire Station attended and dry powder was used to extinguish the fire.
The box was targeted just an hour before it was due to be emptied and anyone who posted letters after 12.15pm is urged to contact Royal Mail.
Crew manager Stuart Anderson said: "It appears that somebody has deliberately set fire to the contents of the postbox. When we arrived smoke could be seen coming from the box and we used dry powder to extinguish it."
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The postbox at Brougham Terrace was emptied at 12.15pm yesterday and the final collection was due at 6pm.
"We've not yet had the chance to empty the box so can't speculate on the number of items of mail which may have been posted since the last collection.
"We will empty the box as soon as we can and will deliver any items which are in a fit state to be delivered."
Any customer who posted mail in the box after 12.15pm yesterday and who has concerns should contact Royal Mail customer services on (08457) 740740.