METRO trains in the North East were stopped this afternoon after fire on land near the line.

Emergency services were called at around 3.15pm to the Brockley Whins area of South Tyneside.

Metro operator Nexus was asked to stop trains between Pelaw in Gateshead and Sunderland while firefighters tackled the blaze.  

A Nexus spokesperson said: “Metro and other rails services were suspended between Pelaw and Sunderland for about an hour due to a lineside fire which began around 3.15pm on Wednesday.

“The fire was on land adjacent to the Network Rail line in the Brockley Whins area. “The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and dealt with the fire.

“They then gave us the all clear to resume operations just after 4.15pm.”

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