Campground waste transfer station

The fire service attended site within 10 minutes and crews remains on site today, working to control and put out the fire with support from SUEZ, Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council and the Environment Agency.

Efforts to control and put out the fire will continue overnight and into tomorrow (Monday 01 March) and it is expected to take several days before the fire is completely extinguished and the site made safe.

The fire service is advising residents living in the area to keep away from the site and to keep their doors and windows closed.

Fortunately, no one has been injured, but both the transfer station and adjacent Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) will remain closed until the fire service deems it safe to reopen. Residents are asked to use Cowen Road household waste recycling centre in Blaydon, NE21 5TW.

All vehicle deliveries to the site are being rerouted and there will be no disruption to household waste collections as a result of the incident.

We would like to thank Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and colleagues at Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council and the Environment Agency for their continued efforts to manage the fire and we apologise for the disruption to our neighbours and the local community.

The cause of the fire and the extent to which the facility has been damaged remain unknown but will be subject to investigation in due course. Access to the site is currently restricted to the emergency services and essential staff.