Neighbours have spoken of their shock after a huge fire engulfed a home in North Shields.
The fire took hold in the early hours of this morning (January 16), with the emergency services called to the property - in Vicarage Street and just off Waterville Road - at 3.28am. At least five fire engines were dispatched to the scene, as well as police, North East Ambulance Service and personnel from Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid.
Three people - thought to be family members - have been taken to hospital with serious injuries. Their condition is unknown at this time.
The incident led to a number of neighbouring residents being evacuated from their homes as raging flames ripped through the terraced property. Northumbria Police has since launched an investigation into the blaze and, at this early stage, the incident is being treated as a suspected arson.
A police cordon has been put in place on Waterville Road and Vicarage Street, with the closures expected to remain in place for some time.
Terrifying footage taken by neighbours shows how flames appear to have destroyed the upper floors of the property. The images and video show fire had engulfed an upstairs dormer window and damaged much of the building's roof.
As snow and sleet fell on the terraced street, neighbours explained they had been alerted to the fact something was wrong by first shouting and then smoke "billowing" at around 3.30am on Monday. Amy Scott, who lives nearby, was the one to call 999.
Amy said she hoped those involved were okay and said she was hoping to find out more. She said: "I called a about 3.30am. I know there were more calls than mine, but it was so shocking. I just heard the shouting, that woke us up.
"We saw the smoke and heard shouting and put two and two together. There's often shouting in the street and we didn't think much of it. But it kept going and then we saw how the fire was. It was huge."
Another neighbour in Vicarage Street said they had a "scary" view of what was happening. They said: "I woke up just about quarter past four, but others were awoken earlier. It was just massive, you can see from all of the pictures. Really scary."
Further down the road, a couple who've recently moved to the area said they had been stunned to wake up to see their area teeming with emergency services personnel. The mum told ChronicleLive: "We must have good double glazing, but yes it's such a shock."
Another neighbour said he had been woken by the fire and the arrival of the fire brigade and added: "Smoke was billowing from the loft and roof. I was stood at the junction of Hylton Street and Vicarage Street."
Earlier on Monday, a Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said that a fire crew had taken just four minutes to arrive on the scene. A spokesman said “At 3:25am this morning (Monday), our Fire Control received a call about a flat fire on Vicarage Street in North Shields.
“Five crews from across Tyne and Wear and our Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) were on the scene to extinguish the fire in a matter of minutes. Upon our arrival, three people had already self-rescued from the property and were later taken to hospital.
“Due to concerns over the safety of the property, a number of residents were also evacuated and have been taken to a reception centre set up with the assistance of the local authority. The fire has since been extinguished but our crews will remain at the scene with a cordon in place.
"At this time, Waterville Road is closed between the junction with Howdon Road and Cardonnel Street, with closures are expected to remain in place for some time.
“A joint investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire and anyone who might have information about the fire are asked to get in touch with Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell us Something’ page on Northumbria Police’s website, or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230116-0067.”
And a North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "We received a call this morning at 3:27am to a private address in the Waterville Road area of North Shields.
"We sent three emergency ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a duty officer and four Hazardous Area Response Teams. Three patients have been taken to a local hospital for further treatment."
Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the suspected arson with officers wearing body suits seen going in and out of the property, which had a tent erected outside on Monday afternoon.
A force spokesperson said: "Shortly before 3.45am today (Monday) police received a request for assistance from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who were in attendance at an address on Vicarage Street. Officers and emergency services attended the scene and three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"Due to concerns over the safety of the property, a number of residents were also evacuated and have been taken to a reception centre. A cordon is in place and at this time, Waterville Road is closed between the junction with Howdon Road and Cardonnel Street, with closures are expected to remain in place for some time.
"An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, and at this early stage it is being treated as a suspected arson. Officers remain in the area carrying out enquiries and offering reassurance to residents, and anyone with concerns should make themselves known."
Police are also appealing for anyone who might have information about the fire, asking they get in touch via the ‘Tell us Something’ page on the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230116-0067.
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