The incident on Valley Street North took place at around 5:40pm today on Tuesday 30th of July and firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Services remain on scene and are currently tackling a large blaze at a premises in the Valley Street North area of Darlington. CDDFRS were called at around 5.40pm today and are expected to be at the scene for some time as crews work to put out the fire.

Statement from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS)

Group Manager Dan Wootton of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said: “Our Firefighters are currently tackling a large blaze at a premises on Valley Road North, Darlington.
“We were called at around 5.40pm today and are expected to be at the scene for some time as we work to put out the fire.
“We currently have five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform (ALP) in attendance.
“We ask that businesses and properties in the area keep their doors and windows closed due to the level of smoke and urge people to stay away from the area.
“Motorists who have to travel near the area should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
“If you have any concerns about the smoke’s impact on your health please call your GP surgery for advice, following any instructions for out of hours services, or contact the NHS 111 service – which is free from both landlines and mobiles and open 24/7.

“We’ll provide updates when we can.”

Gallery of images below

At its height, five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform (ALP) were dealing with the inferno at the premises on Valley Road North, which broke out at approximately 5.40pm

Roads in the vicinity are closed and the fire sent thick black smoke across Darlington Town Centre with eyewitnesses stating the smoke can be seen as far away as Middlesbrough.

This is a developing story more will be posted once it becomes available…