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Blinds shop fire damages flats next door

Claudia Robinson,in Stocktonand
Evie Lake,North East and Cumbria
Claudia Robinson/BBC Two red and yellow fire engines parked in front of Galaxy Blinds which is a white and blue building with a pointed front. Grey smoke covered the entirety of the roof and is billowing upwards and to the right. Four firefighters are standing in front with yellow helmets on. There is a row of grey terraced buildings to the right.Claudia Robinson/BBC
The fire broke out on Yarm Lane just before 08:00 BST

A fire which engulfed an entire building has caused structural damage to nearby flats.

The blaze broke out just before 07:47 BST at Galaxy Blinds on Yarm Lane in Stockton, Cleveland Fire Brigade said.

Head of emergency response Jim Hudson said the service was currently working with the council and structural engineers, as well as trying to locate the residents of the flats, who were not in the building when the fire started.

The fire is ongoing and Yarm Lane remains closed. People have been advised to stay indoors and keep their windows shut.

Hudson said the owners of Galaxy Blinds had arrived to work this morning to find a "small fire" which they attempted to put out, but by the time a crew had arrived it was "quite a large fire" so back up was requested.

"It's a large fire that has consumed the whole of the initial building, unfortunately attached to that building we have some flats and there is structural damage due to the fire," he said.

He added the owners were the only two people in the building and they were able to get out themselves.

Claudia Robinson/BBC Jim Hudson smiling into the camera. He is wearing a blue jacket with a yellow hi-vis stripe across the chest. There is a red fire engine to the right. To the left, grey smoke can be seen with multiple fire engines. There is a tall crane in the middle with firefighters tackling the fire with water from it.Claudia Robinson/BBC
Jim Hudson said the fire service was working with the council and structural engineers

"So the big piece of work we're doing at the moment is working with the council and structural engineers to ensure the safety of obviously fire crews, but also the residents in the neighbouring areas," Hudson said.

"We're working to find out who actually lives and resides in those flats and what we can do to support their onward journey from this morning."

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