A FOOTBALL match was temporarily halted by a fire at a non-league ground in the region this evening.
The match, at Bishop Auckland's Heritage Park, was stopped about six minutes from half time when the fire alarm sounded.
The fire was located in the woman's toilets in the main stand, which was evacuated.
A fire crew from Bishop Auckland was quickly on the scene, swiftly folowed by a crew from Newton Aycliffe, and players and spectators were kept inside the ground while the blaze was dealt with.
The match, between Middlesbrough and Stoke City under-23s, resumed after a delay of about 30 minutes.
Crew manager David Welsh said: "Nobody was hurt. The toilet area was quite badly damaged, mostly by smoke.
"The cause of the fire is not yet known and a full investigation will take place."
Club director Terry Jackson paid tribute to club officials and the emergency services.
He said: "The systems at the club worked effectively and the fire brigade were here quickly and did a brilliant job."
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