Fire crews tackle fire at commercial garage on Roker Avenue

Crews have been called to the scene in Roker Avenue and are tackling a fire which has spread to the roof space of a neighbouring property.

A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the alarm had been raised just after 4.30pm today.

"The call was at 16.31,” she said.

"We have sent four appliances – two from Sunderland Central and one each from Farringdon and Marley Park - and two officers.”

She added that crews were still at the scene and said: “They are very much still on with it.”

One lane of Roker Avenue has been closed while crews fight the fire and officers from Northumbria Police are also at the scene.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service duty officer Jeff Boath is in charge of the operation and said access to the fire had been difficult, with the garage down a side street off the main road and space limited.

"We have got a fire that originated in commercial garage premises,” he said.

"It has then spread to a neighbouring building.

"We are experiencing access difficulties to the neighbouring building.”

It was too early to say exactly what had started the fire but a man who had been working in the garage had told firefighters he was cutting up a catalytic converter when the blaze began.

Crews are likely to be on the scene for some time: "We expect to be at the scene for a little while yet,” said Duty Officer Boath.

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