Investigation after fire on South Church Road, Bishop Auckland

Firefighters were called to South Church Road in Bishop Auckland shortly before 6pm where a blaze had broken out in an unfinished housing development.

No one was in the building at the time and no one was injured.

Police closed the road while smoke billowed out of the windows and fire crews battled the flames.

A joint police and fire service investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the blaze.

Police at the scene this morning. (Image: SA)

A fire service spokesperson said: “At 5.30pm yesterday (Monday), we received a report of a fire within a first floor flat on South Church Road, Bishop Auckland.

“Two fire engines from Bishop Auckland and a third from Spennymoor were sent to the scene to tackle the fire.

“Crews left the area at 9pm.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham Constabulary.

Bishop Auckland fire. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The force said: “Officers were called to reports of a fire at an address in South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, shortly before 6pm on Monday, January 29.

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“The property was unoccupied at the time, and no-one was injured.

“A joint investigation between County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Durham Constabulary is now underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident reference 340 of January 29.”