Fire crews are battling a significant blaze at an industrial premises in Blaydon, Gateshead, after the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service received the initial call at around 4am on Patterson Street, within the Trans Britannia Enterprise Park.
Five pumping appliances and specialist vehicles, including an Aerial Ladder Platform, have been deployed to the scene. Northumbria Police are also in attendance, assisting with a cordon that has been erected on Patterson Street. Residents in the vicinity have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed and to avoid the area if possible.
Images from the scene show the roof of a building partially destroyed by the flames. Firefighters are using an aerial ladder to tackle the fire, which requires high-level intervention. The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We can confirm we are currently dealing with a fire in the Gateshead area. The initial call came in at 04:00 and we dispatched five appliances, including our Aerial Ladder Platform, to an industrial premises in Blaydon. Crews remain at the scene dealing with the incident. We advise the public that this is an ongoing incident and we ask people to avoid the area if possible. We also advise anyone in the vicinity to keep their windows and doors closed.'
Patterson Street is a factory road located approximately 5 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne. Emergency services remain at the scene, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.
