FIREFIGHTERS have said a fire at a block of flats, which left one person with burns and smoke inhalation, was accidental.

A three-storey block of flats was evacuated at teatime on Sunday after thick black smoke start billowing from the top floor.

Emergency services were called to Windsor Court in Rowlands Gill shortly before 5.30pm.

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A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We can confirm we attended an incident on Windsor Court in Rowlands Gill on Sunday evening.

“Two people got out of the building without needing our assistance, one was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead being treated with smoke inhalation and slight burns.

“We believe the incident was accidental. Our crews left the scene at 6.04pm.”

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