Emergency services are currently responding to a 'building fire' on the Newcastle Quayside.
Shortly after 5pm on Wednesday March 2, police officers were called to support Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service who are currently tackling a fire at the Quilted Camel on Sandhill.
Firefighters are still in the area dealing with the 'large scale' incident in one of the city's Grade II Listed buildings. Police officers are also assisting the fire service.
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The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that six appliances, a command unit, duty officers and an aerial ladder remain in the area. They received the report at 4.42pm this afternoon.
No one is believed to be injured however, the surrounding buildings have been evacuated as a safety precaution and a number of roads have been closed leading to the scene, police have said.
Large number of emergency vehicles on the scene and the steer is cordoned off pic.twitter.com/Iq6q77PHqP
— James Robinson (@JWCRobinsonNews)
The force has confirmed that a number of road closures are in place while the emergency services deal with the incident.
Our reporter James Robinson spoke to incident manager Andy Willford at the scene who told him the blaze is being treated as accidental.
He tweeted: The fire is understood to have been accidental but specialist fire investigators are on the scene. Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries.
The fire is understood to have been accidental but specialist fire investigators are on the scene. Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries pic.twitter.com/hbMQZ5SPln
— James Robinson (@JWCRobinsonNews)
The Newcastle Quayside road is currently closed as well as the Swing Bridge. The Close from Skinnerburn Road is also closed as well as the pedestrian street from Dean Street down to the Quayside.
Officers and firefighters are asking people to avoid the area where possible and use alternate routes.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting reference number NP-20220302-0695.
"Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
A search dogs can from the fire service has just arrived on scene - unsure as to why at this moment #Newcastle pic.twitter.com/FVscSVu0U5
— James Robinson (@JWCRobinsonNews)
In a tweet, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews are currently dealing with a large scale incident on the Quayside, Newcastle. Please avoid the area if possible."
The building is home to the Quilted Camel - described on its website as a "retro chic 70s style bar with a quayside party atmosphere. Newcastle hot spot since 1995, an unforgettable venue set in a grade 2 listed building."
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