AN investigation is underway into the cause of a major fire which turned the Teesside sky black yesterday.
The fire inside the Jap Euro North East Ltd scrap yard near Middlesbrough College destroyed dozens of cars and forced nearby residents to be evacuated from their homes.
Cleveland Fire Brigade sent six appliances to the scene and nearby roads were cordoned off, including the Priestman bridge in Middlehaven.
The fire brigade is now working alongside Cleveland Police to establish the cause of the blaze, which produced smoke that could be seen as far afield as Whitby.
The fire inside the Jap Euro North East Ltd scrap yard near Middlesbrough College. Pictures: Graham Mitchell/Northern Echo Camera Club
Anyone in the area, or downwind of the incident, was advised to indoors & keep windows and doors closed as there was a large amount of smoke.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We became aware of a waste fire at 3pm yesterday on the grounds of JAP Euro North East on Commercial Street in Middlesbrough.
"The Environment Agency currently had regulatory officers onsite to continually monitor the risk to the environment, and to work with our partners from the emergency services.
"We will continue to advise our partners about any hazards the incident may pose to the surrounding area."
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