A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a phone mast was set on fire in Gateshead.
Emergency services were called to the burning mast off Sunderland Road in Wardley just after 4am with plumes of black smoke visible for miles.
Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform to extinguish the flames which had engulfed the phone mast.
Police were also called to the scene and officers have arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of arson. He remains in custody and is assisting officers at this time.
It has been confirmed that no one was injured as a result of the incident.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 4.04am to reports of a phone mast on fire in Wardley.
"We sent four appliances, an aerial ladder platform and an officer to the scene.
"Crews extinguished the fire and left the scene at 5.57am. An investigation is ongoing into the cause of the fire."
The fire comes following a series of suspected arson attacks on 5G masts across the country.
Some people claim that 5G technology is dangerous to public health and a small number of conspiracy theorists claim it is the cause of the coronavirus pandemic.
Any links to 5G and Covid-19 have been emphatically dismissed by experts.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Shortly after 4.20am today (Monday) we were alerted by the fire service that a phone mast was on fire in the Wardley area of Gateshead.
"Emergency services attended the scene and the fire was extinguished. Nobody was injured.
"An investigation has been launched into the incident and officers have arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of arson. He remains in police custody and is assisting officers with their inquiries.
"Anyone with information is asked to get in touch by calling 101 or using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting log 147 220620."
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