Newcastle teenagers escape from tent set on fire in garden

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Three teenagers have escaped from a tent which was set on fire while they were sleeping in it.

The boys aged between 14 and 18 were camping in the front garden of a house in Lindisfarne Close, Newcastle.

A "noxious substance" was poured on the tent and then set on fire at about 01:00 BST on Saturday, police said.

Det Sgt Don Gibson said: "This is a serious incident which all too easily could have had tragic consequences. Fortunately no-one was hurt."

Additional officers are on patrol in the area to reassure the community, he added.

The force is appealing for witnesses.