ONE of the biggest fires in Darlington's history broke out ten years ago this week, causing major damage at The King's Hotel.

More than 100 people were evacuated to the Dolphin Centre sports complex and Blackwell Grange hotel.after the fire spread.

Tourists from Italy, Canada and Singapore were woken when alarms sounded at 12.40am.

The fire was thought to have started on the fourth-floor of the 115-year-old building before quickly spreading to the roof.

By 1.30am, extra crews from County Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire were summoned. At the height of the fire, about 60 firefighters, ten appliances, plus turntable ladders and control units were at the scene.

At one stage, the blaze threatened to engulf nearby businesses, including the Cornmill shopping centre and The Northern Echo offices.

But by 6am, the fire was declared under control after thousands of gallons of water were poured on from above.

Chief Inspector Paul Unsworth, of Darlington police, said: "The hotel is a massive scene. An investigation has to be planned and managed very carefully.”

Among those helped to safety were disabled war veteran Gordon Waito and his wife, Maureen.

Canadian Mr Waito, who was an 18-year-old based in Middleton St George with the Canadian air forces when he met his future wife, could not escape with fellow guests because he could not manage the stairs.

The 85-year-old and Mrs Waito, who has a pacemaker and has trouble breathing, had to be rescued by members of the hotel staff.

Mrs Waito, 79, said: "I checked one of the fire escapes, but there was smoke everywhere. If we had tried to get out there we would have choked.

"The two men who helped us were excellent. I dread to think what could have happened if they had not been there."

The Northern Echo offices were among the neighbouring premises to be evacuated, but staff working remotely keep residents up to date via northernecho.co.uk.

When the building was given the all-clear, a small team turned out to produce a special print edition of the paper. About 5,000 copies were on sale in Darlington newsagents by 8am – breaking the news over breakfast.