11 fire appliances deployed to Washington blaze as firefighters battle throughout the night

Eleven fire appliances and dozens of firefighters were deployed last night (August 11) to tackle a blaze at Crowther Industrial Estate - the second in less that two weeks at the Washington business park.

For the second time in 12 days, smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the town.

A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spokesperson, said: “We can confirm on the evening of Tuesday August 11, eleven fire appliances, including the aerial ladder platform attended a fire at a commercial property.

“The emergency call was received by our Fire Control Team at 5.53pm and crews from Gateshead, Washington, Rainton Bridge, Marley Park, West Denton and South Shields Community Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene at Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington.

“The incident is ongoing.”

TWFRS yesterday evening warned “there is smoke in the area and so please keep windows and doors closed”.

This morning (August 12) two fire engines and several firefighters remained at the scene of the fire at a vehicle sales and repair centre. There was also a TWFRS Welfare Unit vehicle at the scene.

Employees at the repair centre said the cause of the fire is being investigated.

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It’s the second fire to have taken place on Crowther Industrial Estate in less than two weeks, with a blaze having also broken out at a different commercial property on the evening of Friday July 31.

Northumbria Police have confirmed they were there to support the incident.