FIREFIGHTERS have been called to a fire in an engine shed at Beamish Museum.
Emergency services were called at around 1.30pm after a spark ignited a small fire in the waggonway building.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said two firefighters used a hose reel and two breathing apparatus to tackle the fire.
A spokesman said: “It was a member of staff who had reported it.
“It was steam engine that was starting up, which gets hot, and basically there were coal dust deposits on it which were smouldering. It was tackled from above and below.”
A spokesman for the popular tourist attraction, near Chester-le-Street in County Durham, said no-one was hurt and no damage was caused to the exhibit.
A Beamish Museum spokesman said: “During routine pre-season testing that we carried out in the same way we have been for over 20 years, it is believed that a stray spark caused a small and contained fire on one of the roof trusses of the waggonway building, in an area which was not open to the public today.
“The fire brigade attended immediately and there were no injuries and no damage to any exhibits.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here