FIRE experts will tomorrow (Monday, August 15) be starting an investigation to determine the cause of a massive blaze which destroyed several businesses on a North-East industrial estate.

Firefighters completed work to put out the fire at Langley Park in County Durham today (Sunday) and are keeping check to make sure ‘hotspots’ do not reignite.

A 54-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire, which broke out at 11.15am on Friday.

Huge black clouds of thick smoke could be seen for miles around after a large quantity of tyres took hold and flames spread to nearby woodland.

John Walkden, operational delivery manager with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The hardest part of the operation has been the sheer size of the fire and the fuel that was involved. There was a large number of tyres.

“We have withdrawn main firefighting activity from 1pm this afternoon and we are going to continuously revisit the site a regular intervals.

“We cannot 100 per cent say the fire is out. There are little pockets we will go back and revisit.”

Pictures taken by the fire service at Riverside Industrial Estate show the extensive damage caused by the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

The industrial building, which last week housed five businesses, is now a charred and mangled scene of devastation.

Mr Walkden said: “There is significant damage to the whole building. I would say 80 per cent of it is destroyed. There has been some building collapses.

“We have managed to contain it to one building due to the quick actions of the fire and rescue service to stop it escalating into other areas.”

Over 40 firefighters, six fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were used in the operation to get the fire under control as flames spread to nearby woodland.

Mr Walkden said: “There are some trees right up against the perimeter fence of the industrial estate, which have been scorched but the main part of the woodland which goes down to the river is fine.

“It was a significant fire well dealt with by the crews. We thank the people in the surrounding area for being patient while we dealt with the main fire.

“It was down to everyone involved. It was a full service effort, from our control to the operational crews and the officers who responded as well.

“We were working in partnership with police, the local authority and our local resilience partners.”