Blandford Street fire: Shocking pictures show damage caused by huge blaze in Sunderland city centre
By Debra Fox
Published 24th Jan 2019, 07:50 BST
Updated 24th Jan 2019, 07:53 BST
Wearside watched as a huge fire took hold of shops in the city centre overnight.
Fire crews have been working since 6pm on Wednesday to bring the blaze under control, with much of Blandford Street expected to stay closed throughout today as investigations continue. Here we look at how the incident unfolded and the full extent of the damage.
Pictures show the extent of the operation in Blandford Street as the fire broke out.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 6pm on Wednesday.
The street was closed off to the public.
At the fire's peak there were five engines and two aerial ladders in use.
Firefighters were damping down the rear of the building on Thursday morning.
Emergency services at the scene.
Nobody is believed to have been hurt in the fire.
Smoke was seen billowing across the city.
Bystanders watch the blaze unfold.
Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, gave an update on social media on Wednesday night.
"It started out just as smoke and the flames came through the roof."
