Investigation launched after fire at Denmark Centre in South Shields

An investigation is under way after the roof of South Shields’ Denmark Centre was destroyed following a blaze in the early hours of the morning.
By Sophie Brownson
Published 22nd Apr 2021, 15:16 GMT
Updated 22nd Apr 2021, 17:33 GMT
Picture from inside the Cardstation store showing the damage at the Denmark Centre.Picture from inside the Cardstation store showing the damage at the Denmark Centre.
Picture from inside the Cardstation store showing the damage at the Denmark Centre.

Crews from South Shields fire station were called to a fire at the popular shopping complex in the town centre at around 5.30am on Thursday, April 22.

The roof of the shopping centre has been completely destroyed by the fire, while shops and businesses inside have suffered from significant damage caused by the heat and smoke.

RELATED: Traders devastated after blaze at Denmark Centre less than a fortnight since reopening

Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Denmark Centre in South Shields in the early hours of the morning.Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Denmark Centre in South Shields in the early hours of the morning.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Denmark Centre in South Shields in the early hours of the morning.
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Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation and that no one had been injured.

Meanwhile Denmark Centre shop Cardstation was targeted in a suspected break-in around the same time which saw two of its stockroom windows smashed and a number of items stolen.

Northumbria Police said they are carrying out enquiries into the incidents which they are treating as linked.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "This morning (Thursday) we were alerted by the fire service to a roof fire at the Denmark Centre in South Shields.

Cardstation employee Diane Hatch in the upstairs stock room of the shop which has had two of its windows smashed in the early hours of the morning.Cardstation employee Diane Hatch in the upstairs stock room of the shop which has had two of its windows smashed in the early hours of the morning.
Cardstation employee Diane Hatch in the upstairs stock room of the shop which has had two of its windows smashed in the early hours of the morning.
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“Officers also received a report of a suspected break-in at Cardstation where an offender gained access to the store and stole a quantity of items.

“We are currently treating the incidents as linked. Enquiries are ongoing.”

RELATED: 15 reminders of scenes from the Denmark Centre in South Shields over the years

A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We can confirm that in the early hours of Thursday, April 22, two appliances from South Shields Community Fire Station were in attendance of a building fire at the Denmark Centre in South Shields town centre.

The windows of Cardstation in the Denmark Centre have been smashed and staff say that some items have been taken from its stockroom.The windows of Cardstation in the Denmark Centre have been smashed and staff say that some items have been taken from its stockroom.
The windows of Cardstation in the Denmark Centre have been smashed and staff say that some items have been taken from its stockroom.

“The first appliance was on the scene at 5.31am.

“The fire caused 100% damage to the roof void, and the shopping complex experienced 60% heat and smoke damage.

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“No persons were injured. Fire crews left the scene at 6.14am.”

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