Fire crews have spent hours tackling a huge grass blaze broke out in Gateshead.
The blaze at the Ryton Willows Nature Reserve could be seen from across Tyneside with staff from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service receiving 111 calls in just three hours this afternoon (August 10) from concerned members of the public.
The smoke could be seen billowing out across the skyline in the Ryton area with reports from countless members of the public of plumes which were spotted for miles.
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The brigade said that the blaze was a grass fire and the cause is not yet known. In an attempt to tackle the large fire, five appliances were dispatched to the area with a fire boat also in attendance.
They also advised that residents and businesses in the area to keep windows closed as the fire spread over 3,500 square metres.
A spokesman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "We now have 5 appliances in attendance at the fire in Ryton Willows.
"This is a grass fire and the cause is not yet known. Our focus is on preventing it from spreading.
"Due to the proximity to the water, we also have our fire boat responding to the fire in Ryton.
"They have a capability to attack the fire from the water to ensure it doesn’t spread. To give you an idea of the size, the fire is covering an area of 3,500 square metres."
At approximately 6.20pm, the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said that the blaze had been brought under control.
The spokesman added: "We are pleased to update that the fire in Ryton is now surrounded and under control. We will begin to scale down that response but are in attendance at a number of other fires.
"Please continue to follow our advice and refrain from starting fires or using disposable BBQs."
The blaze comes after senior officers at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) called on the public to behave responsibly to keep their communities safe.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath urged people not to use barbecues in the countryside, avoid setting bonfires and be careful of disposing cigarettes and glass bottles.
He said: “Temperatures are not expected to reach the levels that we saw last month but the hot weather comes at a time where things are already tinder dry. This presents a serious increase in the chances of fire and rapid fire spread.
“Last month we saw a huge surge in calls and attended incidents where relatively small fires had been exacerbated by the heat and led to a much more challenging response.
“We also provided mutual aid to other fire and rescue services who had to declare major incidents where wildfires had completely destroyed homes and property.
“That isn’t something we want to have to deal with here and so we want to ask the public to work with us and behave responsibly during the hot weather.
“It is also important to take your rubbish away with you, particularly glass bottles or objects. These can concentrate sunlight and spark fires that put people’s lives at risk.
“Ultimately, the increased risk as a result of the tinder dry conditions, coupled with deliberate fires in bins and public areas, adds a level of risk that is avoidable.
“With the continued support of local communities, we can keep everyone safe and may just save someone’s property.
“We also want to issue a timely reminder to behave responsibly around the water and make sure you are aware of some of the dangers that may be hidden beneath the surface.”
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