Fire and 'explosions' at Washington factory as 'close windows' warning issued

A large fire that erupted at an industrial building in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has been "scaled back" to a degree, the fire service said in an update this evening.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said it has used five appliances and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze at Crowther Industrial Estate.

The fire caused massive plumes of smoke to pour from the site while some residents reported hearing "several explosions" this afternoon, reports Chronicle Live.

A fire service spokesman said: "We have five appliances and an aerial ladder platform in attendance at a factory fire in Crowther Industrial Estate, Washington, Tyne and Wear.

"We are receiving a high volume of calls due to smoke being visible from the A1, A194 and the Sunderland Highway. We would like to advise members of the public to avoid the area if possible, and anyone in the vicinity to keep their windows and doors closed."

Northumbria Police confirmed its officers were at the scene. A cordon that was initially put in place has been extended due to thick black smoke coming from the industrial blaze.

It is not known if there have been any injuries.

Northumbria Police has been pictured at the scene of the factory fire at Crowther Industrial Estate. Officers are there in a supporting capacity, and have just extended their cordon.

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Police are at the Crowther Industrial Estate(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A video shows thick black smoke pouring out of the burning building at Crowther Industrial Estate this afternoon.

The fire service said it had received "a high volume of calls due to smoke being visible from the A1, A194 and the Sunderland Highway".

Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area.

Images show firefighters tackling the large blaze at Crowther Industrial Estate. The incident is ongoing.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said five appliances and an aerial ladder platform were being used to help put out the flames.

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A firefighter at the scene(Image: ChronicleLive)

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The blaze is ongoing(Image: ChronicleLive)

One onlooker who noticed the fire while driving along the A19 said the smoke was visible for miles.

"We were driving up the A19 when we saw the smoke, you can see it for miles - hope everyone's OK," Ryan Wilson told the BBC.

The fire service has urged locals to keep their doors and windows closed.

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Firefighters at the scene(Image: Ryan Lim)

A woman said she felt her house "shake" when the fire erupted at the factory.

She wrote on Facebook: "Actually felt the house shake when it happened." Another person said: "You can see the smoke from Durham."

While further people expressed hope there have been no casualties from the fire.

"I hope no one has been hurt," wrote one person. A another said: "Stay safe all fire crews."

Plumes of smoke are filling the sky following the large fire at a factory in Washington.

The blaze is raging at the Crowther Industrial Estate in the west of the town.

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Thick black smoke coming from the scene of the fire(Image: Lewis Telford/MC Toxic)

A resident, who can see the smoke from their bedroom window, told ChronicleLive: "I've heard several explosions and loud bangs this afternoon.

"From where I am, I can't see the flames themselves, but there is a huge amount of smoke and it just seems to be getting even more by the minute."

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A huge fire is ongoing at a factory on the Crowther Industrial Estate(Image: ChronicleLive)