RESIDENTS living near a North-East industrial estate were ordered to stay indoors as a cloud of toxic fumes drifted from a large fire in a factory unit.

The blaze, in the storage unit of Containers Direct, on the Glover Industrial Estate, in Washington, Wearside, took hold just before midnight on Wednesday.

Four hours earlier, and less than a mile away from the estate, a suspicious blaze damaged five units in the Concord House complex, in the Vermont area of Washington. Fire and police experts are investigating both incidents.

The Concord fire was believed to have been started deliberately when a settee was pushed against the building and set alight.

Seven fire engines were sent to the scene, where the blaze badly damaged outlets operated by Rubicon Inspections, Broadening Horizons, Paragon embroidery centre and the Dog House canine parlour.

The office of TT Construction was also damaged by smoke and water.

Yesterday, following the fire in Concord House, which stands immediately behind the prominent St Andrew's Church, Northumbria Police confirmed that a 15-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of arson.

In the second blaze, which was fought by the same crews, with the help of additional appliances from throughout the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, oil gantries and plant machinery were damaged.

The fire was also believed to have been started maliciously.

At the height of the blaze, residents of homes nearby were advised to remain indoors and to close all doors and windows as toxic fumes spread.

A spokeswoman for the service said that the fume- laden smoke cloud had dissipated quickly.

At one point during the busy night for the Tyne and Wear service, more than half of the brigade's appliances were involved in the two Washington fires.

After the incidents, Peter Young, chairman of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service paid tribute to the firefighters involved.

He said: "I want to commend the skills and bravery of the firefighters in attendance. They are an excellent example of the work of firefighters of the Tyne and Wear service."

An officer at the service last night confirmed that the incidents were being investigated individually before inquiries into a possible link was considered.