Firefighters descended on Newcastle city centre after a huge blaze took hold of a disused building.
Plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing from the building in the centre of the city on Wednesday night as emergency services rushed to the scene. Eight fire vehicles responded to the call-out shortly before 7pm and police officers cordoned off the area.
Residents in the area were urged to close all windows and doors and motorists were told to find alternative routes after the northbound and southbound carriageways of the A167(M) were closed.
