Fire service scale back presence after the huge blaze in Birtley
Road closures and diversions in place. No injuries. Water being diverted from local homes.
Last updated 8th Feb 2022
UPDATE 15:35: The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has downgraded the fire in Birtley and started scaling back their presence.
Crews have been at the scene since late last night at the recycling plant on Durham Road and are expected to be there for the rest of today.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said:
“We are currently still in attendance of an incident at a commercial property on Durham Road in Birtley.
“However we are on top of the incident and have downgraded from a major incident to a significant fire and have begun scaling back our presence.
“We will be on site for the rest of today and most of tomorrow ensuring that the site is safe and beginning our investigation into the cause of the fire.
“Thankfully there are no causalities at this incident and none of our firefighters have been injured in tackling the fire.
“We would like to thank our partners for working with us in this situation and keeping the community safe.
“There is still a significant amount of smoke in the air and as the wind picks up and heads north it will begin to move towards the A1.
“So please keep your windows and doors closed and stay away from the site where possible.”
Emergency services are still at the scene dealing with a massive fire that broke out in Birtley overnight.
Huge flames and thick black smoke could be seen from miles around.
Nine Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service crews were in attendance at its peak.
Local residents told us earlier today (Tues 8th) water from nearby homes was being diverted so no water for some people in surrounding areas earlier.
The area around Durham Road, near Motorpoint and Dobbies, still remains closed with diversions in place.
Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors shut.
We're told there's no injuries and no word on any cause as of yet.
People living nearby took to Social Media to tell of loud pops and explosions continuing through the night.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We are currently in attendance of an ongoing incident at a commercial property on Durham Road in Birtley.
“Last night our fire control received an emergency call at 10.38pm and our appliances were quickly on the scene within 4-minutes.
“We responded with nine appliances from community fire stations across Tyne and Wear as well as our aerial ladder platform (ALP) that is currently on site.
“Due to the large plumes of smoke, we advise people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed and stay away from the site where possible.
“A number of road closures and diversions are in place to keep the general public away from the area, so if you need to travel please check first.
“We want to thank the community for their support during this ongoing matter.”