A BARBER shop and two homes in a terraced block have been severely damaged after fire broke out this morning (Friday, Feb 12).
Crews were called to Black’s barbers at Low Westwood, near Ebchester, County Durham, at about 9.40am.
Police closed the busy A694 so emergency services could deal with the blaze, which caused traffic problems between Shotley Bridge and the A1 Western Bypass, north of the Metrocentre.
The fire caused part of the roof in the houses adjoining the barbers’ to collapse, but no-one was hurt.
Rob Turnbull, group manager of County Durham Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We initially heard, when the call came in, that a woman had gone back into the property, but when we got there, fortunately, that was found not to be the case and no-one was injured.
“The fire was well established though and has caused substantial damage to the roof.”
Mr Turnbull said a joint police and fire investigation would be carried to determine the cause of the fire.
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