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Police probe blaze which wrecked cars and property
UNDER INVESTIGATION ... the fire in Sunderland Road, Harton.
CARS and sheds were destroyed in a huge blaze that ripped through the gardens of three properties in South Tyneside in the early hours today.
A dozen firefighters were called to Sunderland Road in Harton, South Shields, at about 1am to tackle a shed blaze.
But when crews from South Shields and Hebburn arrived, they found three cars, two garages, a shed, trees and fencing on fire.
Families were alerted by a neighbour who saw the flames coming from their garden.
Police and fire chiefs have now launched an inquiry into what started the blaze, which could be seen from neighbouring streets.
Richard Short, 61, whose Honda CR-V was one of the vehicles destroyed, said: “It was the neighbour who woke us up.
“When they told us about the fire, my wife went along the hallway and could see a glow through the window. At first, we thought it was a tree on fire.
“The fire seemed to get worse. The car is destroyed. No one has a clue how the fire started.
“We can’t remove the cars until the investigation team has been out – I’m still a bit shocked by the whole thing.”
Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, also lost their car.
He said: “The next-door neighbour woke us up. We sleep at the front of the house, so hadn’t heard a thing, but when we looked out, the whole back lane was ablaze.
“The fire seemed to be creeping towards the house. It was coming down the fencing at the side. The fire brigade got here just in time to start damping it down.
“The car and shed has been destroyed, as well as the children’s Wendy house and bikes.
“I can’t believe how much it took hold. We are just gutted.”
His wife added: “When the fire brigade started to damp it down, the smoke engulfed the whole street.
“There’s no damage to the house – but we are just glad no one was hurt.”
Andrew Blower, watch manager at South Shields fire station, said: “We had initially been called to reports of a shed on fire.
“But when we arrived there were people in the street, and it turned out to be three vehicles affected. There were also sheds on fire.
“The fire investigation team will be out today to determine the cause of the fire.”
A police spokesman said: “Officers attended the scene along with the fire service, where two garages and a shed were found to be on fire.
“Investigations are currently under way.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Twitter: @shieldsgazlisa
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Weather for Jarrow
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
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