Fire breaks out at depot containing 10,000 pallets

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze at a waste disposal site containing 10,000 wooden pallets.

It started at Addison Industrial Estate in Stella, near Blaydon, Gateshead, shortly before 23:00 BST on Sunday.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) said its crews "worked tirelessly throughout the night" and the fire was under control.

It advised those in the area to keep "all windows and doors closed".

No-one was injured, the service added.

Eight fire engines attended and an operation is expected to continue throughout the day.

The fire service said the cause was unknown and a joint investigation between TWFRS and Northumbria Police was under way.

The service said it contained flames to the west corner of the depot and prevented the remaining pallets from catching fire.

Speaking on Monday morning, group manager Dale Howey told the BBC his team was "still actively fighting the fire".

"The crews worked tirelessly throughout the night to extinguish the fire and we currently have it surrounded," he said.

"We currently have eight pumping appliances in attendance and this is likely to be a protracted incident for at least the remainder of today."

Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) were also called to the scene.

"We dispatched a duty officer and three vehicles from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART)," a NEAS spokeswoman said.

"One HART vehicle remains on standby at the scene to assist our fire service colleagues if needed."

Northumbria Water said those living in the area may experience "poor pressure, no water or discolouration" while the fire service access the water mains network during the incident.

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