Boat fire breaks out on the banks of the River Wear with smoke seen around Sunderland

Smoke drifted over central Sunderland after a fire broke out on a boat on the banks of the River Wear.

Fire crews from Sunderland Central and Marley Park stations were first called out to the boat blaze just after 1.20pm on Saturday.

The small vessel was moored up on the riverbank in the Deptford area of the city when the fire began.

Large flames and thick black smoke could be seen as the fire took hold inside the boat's cabin.

The smoke can be seen over the industrial estate. A boat is on fire in Sunderland, Fire fighters attend the scene on the banks of the River Wear. (Newcastle Chronicle)

The smoke filled the air close to the Stadium of Light, however the Black Cats are playing away at Oxford this afternoon.

Firefighters have been using a hose reel to douse the flames from the footpath along the riverside.

It is not yet known if anybody was on board when the fire started.

 

Crews are still at the scene this afternoon tackling the fire and making the boat safe.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are due to release an update on the boat fire later on Saturday.