FIREFIGHTERS were tackling a major blaze at a car dealership on the outskirts of Durham this morning.

A number of vehicles are believed to have been destroyed or badly damage in the blaze which also gutted buildings at Evans Halshaw, in Gilesgate Moor, Durham.

It was first reported at 4.36am when smoke was seen coming from the roof of the building, at a former primary school site in Alma Place, at the junction of Sunderland Road and Dragon Lane.

Several fire crews attended, including an aerial ladder platform, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus attempted to locate the seat of the blaze.

Acetylene tanks at the rear workshop part of the premises were removed as a precaution.

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen for some distance during the morning rush hour.

Roads were closed in the vicinity, from the Durham Retail Park, to beyond Alma Place, with diversions put in place via High Grange Estate.

One commuter whose journey to work on the outskirts of Durham was delayed by the ensuing traffic delays, said: "You could see the smoke and smell it once you crossed the A1(M) junction at Carrville.

"Getting nearer you could see there was a really aggressive fire in the main part of the showroom. It was just orange with flames.

"It appeared, at one point, that the roof came down, it just caved in, and that’s when the flames started pouring out the top of the building.

"The firemen in the aerial ladder had to pull back at the stage.

"You could smell the smoke and feel the heat from around 100 yards away."

Residents in nearby homes in Providence Place and Belle Vue Terrace were evacuated as a precaution.

The blaze was brought under control by around 9am, but firefighters remained on site damping down as the exact cause was being investigated.

Staff at the premises, a Renault dealership, were waiting to be allowed on site to begin counting the cost.