A LARGE fire which caused huge plumes of smoke to rise above Darlington is not being treated as suspicious. 

Police officers and firefighters tackled the blaze throughout Monday night in the Albert Hill area of Darlington.

Residents were urged to keep their windows closed due to the amount of smoke from the fire.

However, there was nothing to suggest there was anything toxic which would cause any public health issues.

Read more: Urgent warning to Darlington residents after large fire

Durham Constabulary provided an update on the incident on Tuesday morning and said officers have since stood down from the scene. 

A statement from the force added: "At 10pm yesterday (June 20), police were alerted to a large fire at a business premises on Cleveland Street, in Darlington.

"A cordon and road closures were put in place for several hours around the site while emergency services worked at the scene.

"The fire is not being treated as suspicious and police officers have since stood down from the scene."

County Durham and Darlington Fire Service said it worked with several other agencies to tackle the fire. 

"Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night to bring a large fire under control in an industrial yard in the Albert Hill area of Darlington," a spokeswoman said. 

"Working alongside Durham Constabulary, Railtrack, Environment Agency and Darlington Borough Council, crews were able to minimise the impact of the fire on the local community and any further damage to an industrial unit adjacent to the fire.

"Initial reports of a large fire came into County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) control at 9.41pm last night (Monday, June 20).

"Four fire crews from Darlington and Bishop Auckland responded along with the Aerial Ladder Platform and the Water Bowser and one fire engine remains at the scene this morning."

CDDFRS Group Manager Phil Innis, added: “We would like to thank local residents for patience as we dealt with this incident into the early hours of this morning and extend thanks to our partners who assisted us in ensuring the fire did not spread to the large building, which was situated right next to where the fire broke out.”

An investigation will be carried out into the cause; however, at this time, it is thought to be accidental.

A NEAS spokesperson said, "We received an information call at 22:07 last night to reports of an incident at Cleveland Trading Estate.  We were not required to attend."

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