A SPRINKLER system prevented fire spreading from an industrial oven and possibly gutting a factory unit.

Three fire crews spent 90 minutes controlling the blaze, which began in the oven at the premises of Trench UK, in Hebburn, South Tyneside, just before 5am on Saturday.

The oven and its contents, tools and industrial materials worth an estimated £20,000 were severely damaged.

But a Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade spokesman said the effective sprinkler system helped to confine the damage and prevented it spreading to the rest of the South Drive unit.