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Large fire breaks out a retail park

Andrew Watson,in Bishop Aucklandand
Pamela Tickell,North 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

A fire which started in a car and spread at a shopping complex, causing traffic delays and smoke warnings, has been brought under control.

Roads were closed around the Tindale Retail Park in Bishop Auckland due to the "large-scale" blaze, Durham Police said. A number of businesses also had to close.

Drivers were warned of poor visibility in the area and told to keep their windows shut and air conditioning off, as smoke was seen rising from a warehouse building.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said it expected to work in the area through the night and asked people to stay away.

The first call came in at 10:42 GMT, CDDFRS said.

People still there in the afternoon said there was still a "strong smell of smoke in the air" and smoke coming from a warehouse on the site.

Businesses also closed on the retail park, including 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

CDDFRS said: "We ask that businesses and properties in the area keep their doors and windows closed due to the level of smoke and urge people to stay away from the area.

"Motorists who have to travel near the area should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed."

News imageStuart Peacock A tall, grey plume of smoke rises from a green metal industrial warehouse. There are fire engines parked out front. Stuart Peacock
Smoke was seen rising from one of the warehouses on the site

There were traffic delays on surrounding roads due to the closures, which included the road between the McDonalds and Sainsbury's roundabouts.

Police cordons were also in place around the retail park, starting at Manor Street and going around Stadium Way.

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 fire spread to buildings in the Tindale Retail Park area

CDDFRS said the fire was under control by 16:30, but about 45 firefighters were still on site.

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