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Fire at retail park was accidental

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
News imageCounty Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service A thick, grey plume of smoke rises from a green, metal industrial warehouse. There is a fire engine parked out front and firefighters walking in front of the building.County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
Emergency crews were at Tindale Retail Park in Bishop Auckland, County Durham

A "large-scale" blaze, which saw several businesses at a retail park close due to smoke, was started by a car fire.

Roads were closed and people were told to shut their windows around Tindale Retail Park in Bishop Auckland on 19 February.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said "an accidental fire involving a small vehicle within a commercial garage" spread to the wider building.

It said the fire was contained and did not spread to any other premises.

Among the businesses which closed on the retail park were McDonalds, Dominos, Subway and Howdens.

News imageSarah Louise A tall, grey plume of smoke rises from behind retail park businesses, including a Costa and a Travel Agents. There are rows of cars parked in the foreground.Sarah Louise
Businesses at the shopping complex were closed due to smoke

At its height, 50 firefighters from crews across the region were at the scene.

They were called to the shopping and warehouse complex at 10:42 GMT.

There was significant fire damage to the garage, both internally and within the roof space, the fire service added.

News imageBBC / Andrew Watson A firefighter stands in the collapsed roof of a single storey warehouse building. There is still smoke rising out of the building.BBC / Andrew Watson
The damage was contained to the of the warehouse building

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