Yahoo News Firefighters remain on scene at Port of Tyne as probe continues into South Shields fire
Firefighters remain on scene at the Port of Tyne in South Shields as investigations continue into a blaze that tore through a warehouse.
Emergency services were called to the Port of Tyne in South Shields at around 2.13pm on Wednesday after a fire broke out in a warehouse. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) sent six appliances to the scene along with two aerial ladder platforms, while a thick black plume of smoke filled the skyline.
One of the ladders could be seen in use as it doused the roof of the building in water. Port bosses have confirmed a there are no reports of injuries.
Fire crews remain on scene on Thursday with the exact cause of the fire still to be determined. Locals are being advised to keep their windows closed.
Port bosses also confirmed that work will begin on the warehouse today, which will involve the safe removal of the roof and starting the removal of the warehouses' content. This is expected to take several days as the contents are removed and then cooled. During this process there may be more smoke from the warehouse.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Our crews have remained onsite at Tyne Dock to continue their firefighting actions throughout the night. We currently have two fire appliances and an aerial ladder platform at the scene of the incident.
“The exact cause of the fire is still to be determined, and any necessary investigations will be delivered once the incident has been brought to a full close. We are now classing the incident as a smouldering fire but with continuing activity on-site there could be the chance of some clouds of smoke re-appearing later in the day.
"Therefore we would still advise for people to keep their windows and doors closed for the time being until the end of the incident. A fire service presence will remain onsite as we continue to work alongside our partners and the site operators.”
A spokesperson from the Port of Tyne, said: “We would like to thank local residents and businesses for their co-operation as we seek to fully eliminate the risk of further fire and ensure the warehouse area is safe, and apologise for any disruption or inconvenience this causes anyone. Equally, we want to make sure you are kept aware of what is going on and why you might see more smoke. “Moving the contents of the warehouse and cooling them is the safest and most expedient way of eliminating that risk and we appreciate the patience everyone is showing whilst the operation is undertaken. “We would like to thank Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for their support.”
