The fire which ripped through a well-known Sunderland store 50 years ago

Fifty years have passed since a fire devastated a famous Sunderland store.

By Chris Cordner

Published 9th Dec 2019, 16:45 BST

Updated 14th Apr 2020, 16:55 BST

In November 1969, fire struck the business of Shares and the Bridge Street premises were very badly damaged.

Shares was not the only store to be hit by a major fire.

As Christmas approached in 1954, a fire began in the basement of Joplings and spread rapidly. The glow could be seen from almost twenty miles away.

And in 1956, a blaze destroyed half of the Castletown branch of Ryhope and and Silksworth Co-operative Society.

1. Tackling the blaze

More firemen direct hoses from the opposite side of Bridge Street near St Mary's R C Church. Photo: Sunderland Echo

Firemen still hard at work on the fire ravaged building, the morning after the blaze broke out. Photo: Sunderland Echo

The scene at Shares Store. Photo: Sunderland Echo

Tackling a major town centre incident. Photo: Sunderland Echo