A huge fire broke out at Streamline PopTop on Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington yesterday afternoon, sending large flames and plumes of smoke into the sky. Nearby residents reported hearing loud explosions as the blaze spread.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spent more than 12 hours tackling the fire and were still at the scene on Saturday morning. No one was hurt, the service confirmed, and the cause was not yet known.
Witness describes escape
Wojciech Koltunik, owner of Hi-Tech Garage opposite the building, told ChronicleLive: "I was at work when I heard some banging, which sounded like popcorn going off in the microwave. I went outside and immediately saw the flames and people running out of the building. They were grabbing things from the office like PCs. Someone had already called the fire brigade."
Mr Koltunik said: "The workers were moving vans and cars from the front of the building and then there was an explosion. The building then went up very, very quickly - it took a matter of minutes. The explosion was actually very scary."
Damage to nearby businesses
He added: "They have a lot of flammable things in there so the flames spread very quickly. I have never seen a fire like it in my life." Having run his garage for 11 years, Mr Koltunik said businesses either side of Streamline PopTop were also badly damaged. "The explosion made the roof move and the walls are all cracked. It's caused a lot of damage."
"There was still some smoke this morning and the fire brigade are still working to make sure everything is safe. When the police arrived, they told me to move out of the street and close my door," he said. He lives in Wrekenton, where his wife could see the smoke.
Emergency response
TWFRS confirmed the blaze was out and hoped to return the building to its owners. A spokesperson said an aerial ladder platform and a pump remained at the scene. Northumbria Police confirmed they also attended in a supporting capacity.
