Fire at Riley's Fish Shack in Tynemouth

Emergency services were called to Riley's Fish Shack in Tynemouth just before 11am this morning.

Firefighters spent around 30 minutes dealing with the blaze at the popular eatery on the beach in King Edward’s Bay.

Riley’s, which is made out of two old shipping containers, is one of the best-known places to eat in the region and a hit with the country’s leading food critics and restaurateurs.

Food served is based on whatever fish has been caught and landed that day.

People have taken to social media to share their concern.

Brian Davidson said: “I hope they can recover from this.

“Rileys is a hidden gem in the North-East and will be gutted if that’s the end

“Hope everyone is ok.”

Kelly Raine said: “I hope everyone is OK and no-one is injured.

“Absolutely amazing place, hope to see them back up and running soon.”

Ellen Dawson said: “OMG This is devastating! Hope everyone is okay and there isn’t much damage.”

Police have confirmed they attended but the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Shortly before 11am today we received a report of a fire at Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth.

“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.

“Nobody was injured.

“The cause of the fire is not currently believed to have been malicious.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesperson from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said two crews attended the incident earlier this morning.

The spokesperson added: “The two appliances were sent from Wallsend Community Fire Station and Tynemouth Community Fire Station.

"The first crew was on the scene at 10.52am, which is a response time of five-minutes after the initial emergency call was received by our TWFRS Control Room.

"The fire was located in the extraction unit of the restaurant and was extinguished by the use of a hose reel.

“The crews left the scene at 11:24."