Shocking pictures show aftermath at North Shields home after man escapes blaze started by discarded cigarette

Shocking pictures show the extent of the damage to a home in North Shields after a man had a lucky escape from an accidental fire.

Crews from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) attended the scene of a blaze at a home on Rowntree Way in the Royal Quays area on Sunday (January 8) at 11.48am.

The fire caused significant damage to the property after the inferno quickly spread from the garden room, where fire crews first encountered the flames, to the loft space above.

Read more: Firefighters tackle accidental house blaze near Royal Quays Community Centre in North Shields

Investigations in the days since have led the TWFRS to believe that a discarded cigarette was the probable cause of the fire. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured and the man inside managed to get himself to safety before firefighters arrived.

Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service attended the scene to assist fire crews. One person was treated by paramedics at the scene but did not require further hospital treatment.

A resident in North Shields had a lucky escape when a discarded cigarette was the probable cause of a recent accidental fire (TWFRS)

Now, images released by TWFRS reveal the extent of the blaze and show the significant damage at the property. The pictures display damage to the garden room which has been completely gutted by the fire.

Further to this, the images also show the debris left in the loft space of the house following the fire. Beams in the loft space show clear damage from the blaze.

A spokesperson for TWFRS said: "Three of our crews from Tynemouth and Wallsend Community Fire Stations attended the residential property in the Royal Quays area.

A resident in North Shields had a lucky escape when a discarded cigarette was the probable cause of a recent accidental fire (TWFRS)

"Crews were confronted by a fire in the garden room that subsequently quickly spread to the loft space causing significant damage. Luckily nobody was seriously injured as the resident had managed to self-rescue before our firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire.

"The crews administered Safe & Well checks on the property, and to two neighbouring homes to ensure they had appropriate smoke alarms and fire safety advice."

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