A bakery was evacuated following a fire in one of the ovens, yesterday.

About 40 members of staff evacuated the Pride Valley Foods factory, on the Seaham Grange Industrial Estate, in Seaham, County Durham.

Firefighters put out the blaze, which had been dampened by the in-house sprinkler system.

Seaham Fire Station watch manager Tony Mellenthin said the fire appeared to have started when waste material ignited in one of the large commercial ovens.

"It's a problem that does occur when residues, like crumbs and oils used in the cooking process, build up.

"They do have a good maintenance schedule, but these things do build up."

No one was available to comment at the factory last night.

Pride Valley supplies speciality breads to bakers, wholesalers and takeaway businesses across the North.