A large allotment fire that killed a number of birds in Wearside this morning is being treated as suspected arson, police have confirmed.
Police have confirmed that an allotment fire that took place in Sunderland this morning (July 25) has sadly claimed the lives of several pigeons as they launch an investigation.
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at 5:43am this morning at the allotments on Corporation Road in Hendon, Sunderland.
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Five appliances were immediately deployed to the area within a matter of minutes to fight the blaze, with twenty firefighters at the scene at the height of the fire.
Following the incident, Northumbria Police have confirmed that no people were injured but unfortunately, several kept pigeons have died.
Northumbria Police have now launched an investigation into the fire as they treat the incident as suspected arson.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At 7am today (Tuesday), we were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service about a fire at allotments on Corporation Road, Hendon.
“Officers attended and no-one was found to have been injured in the incident. Sadly, a number of pigeons which were held in crees at the site have died.
“We are treating the fire as suspected arson and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should use the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or call 101, quoting NP-20230725-0170.”
The Northern Echo also contacted Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for more information.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Spokesperson said "We can confirm that at 5:43 this morning (25th July) we received a call about a fire in the allotments on Corporation Road in Sunderland.
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"Five appliances from across the service area were on the scene in a matter of minutes to battle the blaze.
"At its height, 20 firefighters were working to bring the fire to an end but thankfully no one has been injured.
"We are supporting Northumbria Police as they carry out enquiries into the cause of the fire.
"Our crews left the scene at 7:58am."
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