Firefighters tackle Farringdon house blaze

Three fire engines attended the house fire in Sunderland.
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Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to Abercorn Road in Farringdon at 5.41am on Tuesday, August 13.

Neighbours said that they could see smoke bellowing out of the windows of the semi-detached house.

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Stephen Bittlestone, 51, lives in the street, he said: “Before we heard the fire engines turn up, I could smell smoke in our house and got concerned.

The fire in Abercorn Road as it was ongoing.The fire in Abercorn Road as it was ongoing.
The fire in Abercorn Road as it was ongoing.

“We heard banging and looked out the window. I saw firemen trying to smash the front door of the house, and smoke coming out of the upstairs windows.

“They couldn’t get into the house, so they ended up smashing the front room window to get in.”

Terry Smith, 61, who lives next door, said: “The first we knew was the fire brigade banging on our door.

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“We thought our house was on fire, then we realised it was next door. The owner is way, which is lucky because it could have been much worse.”

Firefighters on the scene of the blaze in Farringdon.Firefighters on the scene of the blaze in Farringdon.
Firefighters on the scene of the blaze in Farringdon.

A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said that firefighters from Farringdon and two crews from Sunderland Central were called out to a house fire on Abercorn Road at 5.46am.

They said: “The living room and its contents were 100% severely damaged by fire and smoke, whilst the kitchen had smoke damage. The remainder of the property was smoke damaged. Crews used two hose reels, breathing apparatus, positive pressure ventilation and thermal image cameras to help fight the fire.”

The fire service confirmed that there was no one in the property at the time and that crews left the scene on Tuesday morning.

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The property is owned by Gentoo. Nigel Wilson, Chief executive officer at Gentoo, said: “We are aware of a fire at one of our rented properties on Abercorn Road.

The house has been left damaged by the blaze.The house has been left damaged by the blaze.
The house has been left damaged by the blaze.

“Thankfully nobody was inside of the property at the time and we have been in contact with the tenant to notify them of the incident.

“We will support the tenant during this difficult time and work with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to identify the cause.”