Overview
- Firefighters were called at 18:16 on December 9, with the first appliance arriving within four minutes.
- Five engines from stations across Tyneside tackled the blaze using hose reels, jets, breathing apparatus, an aerial ladder platform and positive-pressure ventilation.
- The fire was centred on a commercial premises and spread to the roof of flats above, causing severe roof damage before crews left shortly after 21:50.
- Northumbria Police managed road closures between Simonside Terrace and Rothbury Terrace and said the incident is not being treated as malicious.
- The North East Ambulance Service dispatched a duty officer and HART teams but their assistance was not required.