FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a blaze at a disused shop in Hartlepool tonight.

The alarm was raised shortly after 6pm after the former newsagent's in Raby Road was reported to be well alight.

The shop, close to the Chester Hotel at the junction of Chatham Road and Chester Road, and the flat above were badly damaged.

Three appliances from Hartlepool attended and took about 30 minutes to put out the flames using two hose reels.

Police sealed off the roads surrounding the blaze and cleared the area of onlookers.