South Shields tyre blaze decimates storage units sending plumes of black smoke across town
Why South Shields area was flooded with black plumes of smoke on Easter Sunday.
Plumes of black smoke engulfed the Tyne Dock area of South Shields this Easter weekend after a tyre blaze.
Four fire crews were sent out to tackle the fire which took place on Easter Sunday at storage units at 19-21 Mitre Place.
The fire is understood to have broken out in a domestic garage used for affordable storage, with fire crews alerted to the blaze at around 16:20 on Sunday.
According to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the yard, including a florist, as well as two further storage containers were 100% damaged by fire. The blaze was extinguished by two jets, while breathing apparatus was required by attending crews.
As a result of the fire, black smoke filled the air, forcing residents and businesses in the surrounding area to close their windows due to the fumes. Images of the blaze flooded social media in the aftermath.