FIREFIGHTERS spent three hours tackling a fire in an industrial unit on the Aycliffe Business Park on Thursday night.

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were alerted to the blaze in Winbank Road at about 7.15pm.

He said: "We dispatched three appliances and an aerial ladder platform to the fire. The fire involved a unit of 60m by 20m. There were four hosereels in use.

"We had appliances from Newton Aycliffe, Darlington and Bishop Auckland."

One resident said: "The factory caught fire some time after 7pm. The night sky turned orange and the fire could be seen from all around. It is not known how the fire started but this building remains strong and only the roof and windows can be seen to be damaged."