Firefighters saved the lives of more than 100 pigeons after a wooden shed went up in flames in a suspected arson attack.
Emergency services were called to Hexham Avenue in Walker after two sheds had gone up in flames. Though one was derelict, the other was packed full of pigeons.
Firefighters released the pigeons before the flames could take hold, saving the lives of all 100 birds. Northumbria Police were also present and confirmed that the incident was being treated as arson.
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A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We can confirm on the evening of Monday, June 5, our Fire Control received an emergency call at 7.02pm reporting a fire involving two sheds in the Walker area of Newcastle. Two crews were dispatched to the fire at Hexham Avenue from Byker and Wallsend Community Fire Stations, and they were on scene within six-minutes of the initial call.
"Upon arrival the firefighters saw that the derelict shed had been severely damaged and the second hut was being used as a pigeon cree, housing 100 birds. The immediate quick-thinking actions of the firefighters who were tackling the blaze ultimately saved the lives of all of the animals as they were released from the shed before the fire could take hold."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "On the evening of June 5, we were alerted to a fire at allotments in the Hexham Avenue area of Walker, Newcastle. Emergency services arrived and the fire was successfully extinguished.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230605-1138."
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