Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will not attend call outs in West Denton without police support following the "worst attack that has happened" to firefighters in region.
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It is alleged that a group of teenagers threw a petrol bomb and a heavy glass bottle at crews attending a car fire in the area and then barricaded the fire appliance when firefighters tried to leave the dangerous situation.
In other news, there were emotional scenes at St James' Park on Sunday as fans paid tribute to 16-year-old Amy Gadomski who sadly died following a cardiac arrest after 'contracting Strep A or Sepsis'. NUFC supporters clapped in the 16th minute of Newcastle's game against Fulham in memory of the season ticket holder who loved attending matches with her friends.
Sticking with Newcastle city centre, reporter Sophie Brownson, wrote how a dating agency is helping people fed up of apps like Tinder to find love in real life with speed dates in Newcastle city centre. While Aaron Morris reported on the former jobs of North East celebrities before they shot to fame.
This is your Monday morning briefing on all the latest from across the North East.
Chief fire officer condemns attack as petrol bomb thrown at firefighters
First we have the news that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will not attend call outs in West Denton without police support following the "worst attack that has happened in Tyne and Wear".
Teenage thugs are reported to have thrown a petrol bomb and a heavy glass bottle at firefighters who were called to a car fire in West Denton at around 6.30pm on Saturday. It is alleged that the group of approximately six teenagers aged around 14-years-old then prevented crew from leaving the area by barricading the fire appliance using sandbags and fencing.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther said the shocking incident was "some of the worst attacks I've known in my 26 year career". And in a move to protect firefighters has implemented an exclusion zone in the area, meaning the fire service will not attend calls to a fire in West Denton unless there is a police escort and a risk assessment has been carried out.
Mr Lowther said it is rare for the fire service to take such drastic action, which was experienced during the Meadow Well riots in the 1990s. He said he will be working with local politicians, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chair of the Fire Authority, Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council to ensure the issue on anti-social behaviour is resolved in the area.
Supporters remember NUFC mad teen who died after 'contracting Strep A'
There were emotional scenes during Newcastle United's game against Fulham on Sunday as fans paid tribute to a teen who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Avid NUFC supporter Amy Gadomski, from Gosforth, tragically died on Thursday January 5 following a cardiac arrest after 'contracting Strep A or Sepsis'. She was just 16-years-old.
Fans paid tribute to Amy by clapping in the 16th minute of the game in her memory. The tribute could be heard during the game's broadcast, with Sky Sports commentators, Andy Hinchcliffe and Rob Hawthorne, informing viewers that fans were clapping in memory of teenager Amy Gadomski who died aged 16.
One fan who was at the match went on to praise fans for the tribute. Posting on Twitter, they wrote: "Well done NUFC fans for the 16 minute clap for Amy - what an amazing bunch you are. Her family will no doubt be so proud of everyone."
Newcastle speed dating agency sees demand soar as Geordies look for love away from apps for Valentine's Day
Sticking with news in Newcastle city centre, ChronicleLive reporter Sophie Brownson shared how Newcastle dating agency, NCL Dates, is helping Geordies to forgo the likes of Tinder in favour of having a real-life connection with someone.
The agency is said to be gearing up for an action-packed Valentine's week with a number of dating events at Market Shaker, The Holy Hobo, and Pumphreys that look set to be a sell-out.
NCL Dates founder Ben Mellor, from Gateshead, said people are "loving" the concept of speed dating and told ChronicleLive why it's such a refreshing change for those who give it a go.
"We have built up quite a cohort of people who will regularly come to the events," he said.
"It is particularly popular with the 25-40 age category as people who are busy come to our events as their way of putting their toe in the pond of dating instead of using dating apps.
"We are seeing a complete shift away from dating apps in general and a move towards events where you can meet people in person. It is really nice to see people making these connections in real life, probably faster than they would have done over an app, as well as meeting people from different demographics that they wouldn't normally go for."
Jobs North East celebrities used to do before they found fame
And, finally, reporter Aaron Morris looked at some of the past professions of North East celebrities for a feature on ChronicleLive.
Sting, Cheryl, Sam Fender, Robson Green, Tim Healy and Denise Welch are just some of the region's celebrities to feature in Aaron's round-up of locals who worked a number of jobs, including bar work, teaching and waitressing.
He shares how many Northerners may remember Cheryl as a Geordie cocktail waitress, while others may chatted with Sam Fender while enjoying a pint at the Low Lights Tavern, in North Shields.
That's all from us for now, but check back at 1pm tomorrow for your next North East Today update.
In the meantime, keep up-to-date with all the latest and sign up to our newsletters here.
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