A busy garage went up in flames this morning putting nearby businesses in peril as a fire tore through the property.
Seven engines were called to the scene as firefighters tackled the blaze at a commercial garage in Evans Yard, Templetown, South Shields, earlier today (October 6).
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called following reports a car had caught alight at around 10.40am, with garage workers unable to put it out due to how quickly it spread.
Read more: Police teams search Gateshead park where 14-year-old boy was allegedly murdered
A total of 25 firefighters swiftly attended along with the service’s aerial ladder platform drafted in to help contain the fire. It is not believed the fire was started deliberately, and there were no injuries.
And while the situation is now under control, the fire service will remain on scene to extinguish the blaze - with the public reminded to keep away from the area and ensure windows on nearby properties are closed due to residual smoke.
“This has been a serious fire that engulfed a large, commercial premises and the actions of our staff have prevented it from spreading to a number of nearby properties,” said station manager Andy Blower, the commanding officer at the blaze.
“The damage has been significant but workers at the garage acted bravely in the moments after the fire started to attempt to extinguish it.
“Unfortunately the fire spread far too quickly and there was nothing they could do. We will continue to support them as best we can. We want to thank Northumbria Police for their support with surrounding road closures.”
Crews arrived at the garage just six minutes after the initial callout. There were concerns a large gas bottle kept in the garage might explode due to the inferno, but fight crews took action to avoid this.
"Preventative procedures were immediately put in place after we assessed the scene of the fire," a fire service spokesman said. "Any initial fears were quickly allayed as we implemented cooling measures and constantly monitored the cylinder using our specialist thermal scanners.”
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