An earthquake measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale has hit the north east this morning prompting fears there'd been an explosion.
Emergency services said they had received calls about an 'explosion' in Stockton-on-Tees, shortly before 6am, after locals heard a bang, reports the Mirror.
The United States Geological Survey said the tremor had a magnitude of 2.8.
Gillian Foster, watch manager at Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service, told Mirror online: "We turned out to a report of a potential explosion at a bungalow.
"Neighbours were out and felt the same thing - some kind of explosion."
Tees Valley Metro Mayor candidate Jessie Jacobs said: "Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham yesterday said I was need in regional politics to shake things up.
"And then in Stockton we have an earthquake. I think it's a sign. #changeiscoming #richterscale".
Firefighters found no signs of damage and no-one was injured when they were called to the property in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees.
There had been "around 20 calls" received about the 'explosion.'
Resident Sophie Steel said: "I felt it. A loud bang and then my house shook. It was really scary. I thought and asteroid had hit."
Steven Thompson, from Norton in Stockton-on-Tees, said: "It was a strong 'clump' like a lorry crashing into mine or a neighbour's house.
"Then I started to see friends on Facebook experiencing the same thing. Many trying to rationalise it wondering if someone had fallen out of bed.
"Then we began to realise it had been an earthquake."
Judith Fahey was woken at 5.57am when her bed began moving along with her en-suite door, which was shut.
"I live in the Wynyard area of Billingham and I was quite startled that it woke me up."
PC Chris Green said: "Up at 0545, in the bathroom at 0555 when I turned my electric toothbrush on and felt the house shake and heard the dogs kick off!
"Turns out it wasn't a surge from the toothbrush, but a 2.8 magnitude earthquake."
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