We can confirm that the fire at a commercial property on Villiers Street in Sunderland has been extinguished.

Hendon Road has now been reopened to vehicles, however the streets in the immediate vicinity of the buildings will remain closed for a prolonged period of time.

We are currently dealing with a large fire on Villliers Street, Sunderland, SR11EZ. Could all local residents ensure all windows are closed due to the smoke.

Preparations are underway to welcome our blue light partners to our brand-new combined emergency service centre, Hebburn Tri-Station.

Firefighters carried out their first shifts last week, with Northumbria Police North East Ambulance Service expected to move into the shared premises later in May.

📺 Check out a TV piece by Kris Jepson of ITV News Tyne Tees who attended our partnership drowning prevention event on Newcastle Quayside.

Our partners were Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK RNLI Tynemouth VLB Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

In association with #BeWaterAware - National Fire Chiefs Council