Fire sweeps through workshop

11:05am Saturday 10th May 2008

TWENTY firefighters fought a blaze which swept through a workshop on Teesside this morning.

The fire, which started in rubbish in an abandoned allotment and spread into the premises of Minimix behind Windsor Street, Haverton Hill, on the edge of Stockton, is being investigated as arson.

The blaze - first reported shortly after 1am today - spread to a store of 30 tyres in the building.

Firemen came across six gas cylinders stored in the workshop in the early stages of fighting the fire. They kept the cylinders soaked with water and under observation.

Incident commander David Kelly of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "We were there for four hours. The police are investigating it and if anyone has information about the incident they should contact the police.'' Cleveland Police confirmed an investigation was underway, while visitors to the location were informed it was a crime scene.