Durham Police are currently on scene at a car fire near to Willington High Street.
Shortly before 1.45pm today police were alerted by a number of witnesses to a car fire in Willington High Street with reports of passengers trapped inside.
On arrival, officers discovered a car had suffered very serious damage in a fire. Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire And Rescue Service are on the scene.
- UPDATED: Woman dies in car fire
- WATCH: Witness describes 'surreal' scene
A spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Service said: "Along with our colleagues from Durham Constabulary we are currently at the scene of a car fire in Willington.
Initial reports of a car on fire came into our control room at 1.40pm. Three fire crews from Crook, Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland attended and several firefighters remain at the scene."
The A690 is closed at the junction of Stony Bank and is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.
Motorists are advised to find an alternative route.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here