The cause of the fire on Windermere Road, Hartlepool, has been revealed to be burning scrap metal.

Three fire crews from Billingham, Hartlepool and Stockton attended the scene at 7pm last night.

They discovered a pile of scrap metal alight in a scrapyard.

Pictures taken from the scene showed a large plume of black smoke which could be seen from miles around.

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Cleveland Police and the Environment Agency have been made aware of the incident.

A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We were called to an incident on 17/08/2023 at 19.10 on Windermere Road in Hartlepool.

"Three fire engines from Billingham, Hartlepool, and Stockton in attendance.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo: Fire crews at the scene on Windermere Road

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"Scrap metal alight in scrapyard.

"Police and Environmental Agency have been made aware of the incident.

"We left the scene at 22.20."