A family were forced to run for their lives after a petrol station burst into flames around them while they were waiting in their car.
Mother-of-four Jordan Brown has told of the terrifying experience her husband and children went through when faced with a huge fireball at their door.
The family, from Barmston, Washington, say they are lucky to be alive and can thank their quick-thinking during the state of panic.
But Mrs Brown says the terrifying ordeal affected everyone involved, and she’ll never forget her two-year-old daughter’s ‘screaming and shaking’ petrified response.
Firefighters rushed to the Esso petrol station on Heworth Road, Washington, at around 3.25pm on Tuesday after huge plumes of smoke could be seen for miles around.
Describing the shocking ordeal to The Northern Echo, Mrs Brown said: “I was inside the petrol station paying for my petrol when my husband started beeping the car horn to get my attention.
“When I turned around I saw the pump go up in flames with a loud bang.
“At that moment I just ran out the shop to help my husband get my kids out the car. I grabbed my two youngest and my husband grabbed the two oldest from the boot of the seven-seater car.”
The family fled into the shop on the forecourt as their car was dangerously close to the blaze.
“We ran into the shop because we didn't want to run in front of the fire as we didn't know how long it was going to take for it to actually blow up properly,” Mrs Brown said.
“We were banging on the door that leads out to the back, and shouting over the counter for the attendant, who had already left the premises.
“I started moving the stuff off the counter ready for us to climb over when my husband tried the door. Thankfully it wasn't locked. We ran out the back and across the road to where the other shops were.”
Read more: Aftermath of fire after drivers forced to run for their lives at petrol station
Firefighters who came to the family’s rescue to how they were lucky to survive without any injuries, but Mrs Brown said the memories of the incident will haunt the family.
She said: “My oldest Ollie (10), was scared but managed okay, he was more concerned because he took his shoes off in the car.
“Luca alerted my husband in the car that there was a fire, he is diagnosed ASD/ADHD, and coped incredibly well. He panicked and was frightened then calmed down when he realised we were safe.
“Silver-Rose (6), I won't ever get her face out of my head. She was screaming and shaking, she was so so petrified.
“Parker (2) was asleep in his car seat at the time, as I pulled him out I woke him up so he was upset from shock rather than actually knowing what was going on.
“We're so thankful that we're all still here because it could have been so much worse. One of the firemen has said that had it been any longer the car and the rest of the place would have gone up too.
“The car has minimal exterior damage but nothing that can't be fixed or sorted.”
A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "Our crews responded to a fire at Esso Petrol Station on Heworth Road in Washington following a call at 15.26pm. Two appliances attended the scene.
"Upon arrival, crews found a motorbike had caught alight and spread to a petrol pump. The supply to other pumps was quickly isolated and the petrol station evacuated as a precaution.
“Thankfully nobody was reported to have been injured and the fire was safely extinguished by firefighters before we left the scene at 3.56pm.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: “It was reported that two young people had taken a motorbike to the petrol station and while filling up the vehicle, which was left running, it toppled over and ignited."
Read next:
Mum's message for new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - do you agree with her?
Heartbreak as kids, nurses and paramedics forced to use this North East food bank
Family's touching tribute after Newton Aycliffe boy collapsed and died in school
If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
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