Newcastle Carliol Square Fire: What we know after disruption

Emergency services attended a building fire on Carliol Square, in Newcastle, at about 6:45pm yesterday (June 29) evening, with smoke from the huge blaze seen for miles.

The Northbound carriageway of the A167(M) Central Motorway, was closed as a result of the fire, with it remaining closed at the time of writing.

An investigation into the fire has since been launched by Northumbria Police following the incident.

Read more: Newcastle Carliol Square fire LIVE: Severe traffic delays

The closure extends from the A186 Swan House Roundabout underpass and A193 New Bridge St.

Police and the fire services have advised commuters and motorists to avoid the area.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath said: “This was a large fire right in the city centre that has caused significant disruption to the road network, businesses and residents in the immediate vicinity.

“Thanks to the hard work of our firefighters and Fire Control staff, and with the support of partners across the region, we have arrived on the scene quickly and have been able to get the fire under control and put an operation in place.

“This is a disused building and we have not received any reports of anyone being unaccounted for. However, now the fire is extinguished we will be moving into an investigative phase with Northumbria Police.

“Enquiries will begin to establish the circumstances around the fire and, although we have been able to enter sections of the building, that investigation will also be able to confirm that nobody has been inside.

“We know this fire has had a significant impact on the local road network which impacted commuters last night and during this morning’s rush hour. We want to thank you for your patience and your support.

“Northumbria Police manage the road network but do not take the decision to close roads lightly and we want to thank them, our other multi-agency partners and also the Salvation Army who attended and supported our operation.”

Read more: Carliol Square: Investigation launched after Newcastle fire

The blaze reportedly saw 50 firefighters attend the scene in efforts to extinguish the fire last night.

The fire has since been extinguished with crews remaining at the scene to ensure the area is safe.

Paul Gallant, who lives near the scene of the fire, said he "heard a lot of shouting" and looked out of his window to see "three hooded individuals running away from the building."

"Moments later smoke started to bellow out," he added.

Members from the Tyne and Wear Fire Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, and North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) all attended the incident.

Police closed the Central Motorway in both directions after the Tyne Bridge to assist with the operation.

As a result of the incident, surrounding roads saw large build-ups of traffic as motorists look to find alternative routes.

This led to delays on the A19 Northbound at A194 Leam Lane (Lindisfarne Roundabout), and the A19 Southbound between A1056 Killingworth Way (Killingworth Junction) and A184 Newcastle Road (Testo's Roundabout).

A TWFRS spokesperson said: “We have a significant presence at a large fire at a disused building in Carliol Square in Newcastle City Centre this evening.

“Our Fire Control received a call reporting a fire at the large, unoccupied former commercial building at around 6.44pm today. Our first appliance was on scene in just five minutes.

“In total, eight appliances and two Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) vehicles are on the scene to help bring the fire under control.

“Our colleagues at Northumbria Police are supporting us on scene and the Central Motorway has been closed northbound from the Tyne Bridge with diversions in place.

“This is in a prominent area in the city centre but we would ask businesses and properties in the area to keep their doors and windows closed due to the level of smoke.

Read next:

• A167, in Newcastle, closed following Carliol Square fire
• Queues through Tyne Tunnel after A167 closed in Newcastle
• Firefighters at scene of building fire in Carliol Square, Newcastle

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“We will update you with more information as we can but please avoid the area if possible.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) currently have one appliance on scene and a cordon remains in place while the investigative phase of the operation begins.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact Northumbria Police on the ‘Tell us Something’ pages of their website, quoting reference number NP-20230628-1077.