A derelict former pub has been gutted after a fire tore through the building overnight in South Tyneside.
Crews from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene on Mill Lane in Marsden where smoke was seen billowing into the night sky as flames engulfed the building from approximately 4.36pm last night (January 1).
Personnel from the Brigade tackled the blaze, with five vehicles as well as an aerial ladder platform deployed, for nearly nine hours before eventually leaving the scene at 1.15am.
Read more: Huge fire breaks out at derelict former Whitburn Lodge pub in Marsden
The road towards South Shields was closed also from the junction with the Shearwater Estate while the incident was ongoing, which caused traffic congestion in the surrounding area.
Yesterday evening, a spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service had said: "We were called to the scene of the former Whitburn Lodge pub at 4.36pm on Sunday afternoon and were still in attendance as of 7.30pm as crews worked to get the inferno under control."
This morning (January 2), a spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 4.36 on Sunday (January 1st) our Fire Control received a call reporting a fire at a disused pub on Mill Lane in Whitburn.
"They deployed our crews to the scene and an appliance from South Shields Community Fire Station was on scene in a matter of minutes. Crews from Sunderland Central and Marley Park also later attended the scene.
"They found the former Whitburn Lodge pub well alight and immediately began to try and extinguish the flames.
"In total, six appliances and 22 firefighters attended the incident and eventually were able to bring the fire under control.
"Enquiries into the circumstances around the fire are ongoing but nobody has reportedly been injured at this time. "We want to thank the quick actions of our Fire Control and operational crews who responded so quickly and prevented the fire from spreading."
The fire appears to have caused extensive damage to the former pub, with pictures taken this morning at the scene showing its roof destroyed by the flames.
Several locals have shared the information and pictures of the blaze on social media as they expressed their concern, while the owners of horses located in stables near the pub confirmed in a Facebook post that the animals are unharmed and have been taken away from the scene safely.
The Labour for Whitburn & Marsden Facebook page said: "We have been made aware of a severe fire at the Whitburn Lodge and the coast road around this location is currently closed.
"Tracey has been and viewed from the top road and has called the Council to arrange for someone to visit the location to assess the situation.
"If anyone needs any help please don’t hesitate to give one of you ward councillors a call."
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