This was the scene in Sunderland 54 years today, November 14.
Traffic jams built up and stretched to the outskirts of Sunderland as Bridge Street was closed because of a fire.
It gutted the Share furniture store and severely damaged three other shops.
Damage was estimated to the furniture store alone at £100,000 and the incident drew crowds who gathered at midnight to watch it all.
Here are seven photos of the night and the aftermath - all from the Sunderland Echo archives.