Black smoke visible across Sunderland as firefighters tackle tyre fire

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

A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 6.50pm to a large fire on the south side of the Northern Spire.

“We dispatched two fire engines with eight firefighters from Marley Park Fire Station and Sunderland City Centre Fire Station.

“A number of calls have been made to this location.

“One hundreds tyres are on fire and are causing a lot of black smoke in the area and on the bridge.

“Crews have one jet and are going to be there quite some time dealing with it.”

Watch manager Ian Davison, of Sunderland Central fire station, said: "The call came in at 18.50 and we have got one appliance here from Sunderland Central and one from Marley Park - that's eight firefighters in total.

"Because of the nature of the site, there is no risk of it spreading. Our big concern is the wind blowing the smoke over the Northern Spire.

"We have informed the police, but we are quite happy with the situation at the moment.

"We will be here a number of hours yet because it is well alight.

"The big risk later on is pollution because we are close to the river.

"At the moment because of the heat all the water is turning to steam.”