Road is closed after building fire

A GATESHEAD road was closed for several hours after a wooden structure was set on fire in the early hours.

Four fire crews were called out to the blaze on Team Street in Gateshead just before 1am yesterday morning.

The wooden one-storey building, close to the Clockmill Road junction, had been set on fire and firefighters used two jets and a hose to put it out.

They were on scene for around 90 minutes and police officers were also called to help secure the area and investigate the cause of the fire.

Team Street was closed in both directions between Clockmill Road and Yetholm Road while an assessment on the safety of the road was made.

Northumbria Police has appealed for anyone with information to come forward. A spokesperson said: “Shortly after 12.30am today we received a request for assistance from Tyne and

Wear Fire Rescue Service (TWFRS) who were dealing with an incident on Team Street, Gateshead. Officers attended and helped secure the scene and initial inquiries were carried out into the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspected malicious ignition.

“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via our website using the Tell us Something page, quoting reference 38 310720.”

A spokesperson for the TWFRS said: “Two crews from Newcastle Central attended a building fire on Team Street, Gateshead at 12.52am. Crews from Gateshead and Byker also attended. Crews left at 2.32am this morning.

“It was a building fire, a 30mx30m single storey wooden structure. Crews used breathing apparatus, two jets, a hose reel and three positive pressure ventilation fans to tackle the blaze.”