Smoke could be seen for miles around after a fire broke out at the riverside in Hebburn.
The blaze broke out at around 3.40pm on Friday on the Hawthorn Leslie site, a former shipyard on Ellison Street. Thick black smoke could be seen rising into the air by passer-bys in the South Tyneside town and beyond.
READ MORE: Fire in Hebburn LIVE: Black smoke seen in sky after fire breaks out at former shipyard
Families and businesses in the area were encouraged to keep their doors and windows closed by the fire service to stop smoke getting in. Police at the scene also set up a cordon.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spokesperson said: “At about 3.41pm today we received a report of a suspected fire at the rear of the shipyard in Hebburn.
"Three crews attended the scene and are in the process of tackling the fire. There is a lot of smoke in the area so residents and businesses in the area are encouraged to keep their doors and windows closed.
"Northumbria Police are also in attendance and a cordon is in place.”
Earlier this month on May 1, firefighters warned locals to keep their windows closed as they battled for hours to gain control of a blaze which on the Robert Frazer Industrial Estate, off Station Road and Argyle Street, also in Hebburn.
In total, 26 firefighters were needed to bring the douse the flames.
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