A MAJOR North-East road had to be closed after fire broke out at a £2m windfarm.

The fire started in one of the turbines at Nissan's Washington factory at lunchtime yesterday.

Both carriageways of the nearby A19 in Sunderland were shut to traffic amid fears that smoke would reduce visibility and that the turbine could fall into the trunk road.

A fault in the power pack at the top of a 180ft concrete shaft of a turbine is thought to have started the blaze, which was allowed to burn out. Its three fibreglass blades were badly damaged and investigations are under way to find out what exactly sparked the fire.

The windfarm, which has six turbines, recently opened to provide power for the car plant and more than 2,000 homes.

The plant is closed for the festive season.

Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade's control room in Newcastle received almost 190 calls from people who saw the flames and smoke.

Seven fire crews and a turntable ladder were sent to the incident.

Nissan spokesman Wayne Bruce said: "There was a fault in one of the turbines that was being repaired by the firm that makes them, Vestas.

"They thought they had repaired it and restarted the turbine to test it and shortly after that the power pack at the top of the shaft caught fire.

"We think it was an oil fire. The fire brigade were called out and they decided to let the fire burn itself out, which it did in 95 minutes.

"The turbines are isolated and a full investigation is under way.

"The turbine is not unique. It is a design used in many places and Vestas are extremely concerned to find the cause of the fire."

Mr Bruce said that the shaft appeared not to be damaged.

He said there was no danger to the plant or homes in the area, which are some distance away.

He said: "The fire was described to me as like a candle burning down.

"We apologise if the smoke caused any inconvenience to local residents.''