Fire service believe tyres were fly-tipped and set alight in suspected arson attack near Sunderland's Northern Spire

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service say they are treating the incident, which saw plumes of smoke rise across the city from a site near the Northern Spire bridge, as ‘likely malicious ignition’.

Two fire engines were called to the former Northern Spire bridge works compound on the south side of the Wear at Pallion at around 6.50pm on Wednesday, December 18.

A spokesman for the fire and rescue service said: “It is believed the tyres had been fly-tipped and then were set alight - although this has not been confirmed.

“The police have been informed.”

Around 100 tyres were set alight causing thick plumes of black smoke to raise above the city.

Eight firefighters, in two fire engines, attended the blaze following the call at 6.50pm and left the scene at 8.34pm.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “We were alerted by the fire brigade about some tyres on fire shortly after 7pm on Wednesday, December 18.

“It was reported that around 100 tyres were ablaze outside a premises off Woodbine Terrace, Sunderland.

“We will continue to work with the fire service to determine the cause of the blaze."

Crews spent almost two hours at the scene dealing with the incident.

The major concern to firefighters tackling the blaze was that the wind would blow the thick plumes of smoke over the Northern Spire bridge – causing a visibility problem for drivers.