A LARGE fire has broken out in Sunderland as the emergency services have told residents to stay inside and keep doors and windows closed.

The emergency services have confirmed they are dealing with the incident at a scrapyard on Hendon Street in the Hendon area of the city.

It comes as dozens of people have been posted pictures and videos of the scene on social media. 

Pictures show how a huge plume of smoke is billowing with people saying they can see it from miles out of the city.

The Northern Echo: The scene from Sunderland City Centre Picture: ROSS LAINGThe scene from Sunderland City Centre Picture: ROSS LAING

This morning, the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews are currently dealing with a large fire in the Hendon area of Sunderland.

Further update: Crews to remain on scene of fire through the night in Hendon in Sunderland

"If you live in the area please stay inside and keep doors and windows closed."

The official Sunderland City Council social media account has echoed calls from the fire service to avoid the area.

It said: "Please stay away from the Hendon area whilst Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service tackle a fire.

"If you live in the area please stay inside and keep doors and windows closed."

On social media, users watching the fire take hold said they could hear explosions from their homes in Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Sarah O'Mahoney shared these striking images at around 11.30am as she reported fire engines had arrived at the scene.

David Lamb tweeted this picture at around lunchtime showing the extent of the fire in Sunderland.

At around 1pm this afternoon, the blaze still appeared to continue albeit at a slower rate as the plume of smoke appeared to reduce.

The Northern Echo: The fire this afternoon Picture: CONTRIBUTORThe fire this afternoon Picture: CONTRIBUTOR

In an update at around 1.30pm, the fire service confirmed further details including that a number of fire engines had to be called upon from neighbouring areas.

In a statement, which confirmed they were still at the scene, the service said: "We are currently in attendance of a scrapyard fire on Hendon Street in Sunderland.

"9 TWFRS appliances have been dispatched to the incident from fire stations across Tyne & Wear, including West Denton, Gosforth, South Shields, Marley Park, Farringdon, Sunderland Central, Washington and Gateshead Community Fire Stations.

"Currently there are two aerial ladder platform appliances and seven pumps in attendance.

"The first appliance was on the scene at 11.12am, a response time of six-minutes from when the initial emergency call was received by our control room team.

"The incident is still on-going."

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