An investigation has been launched following a blaze that gutted a Darlington building over the weekend.

Multiple fire engines descended upon Gladstone Street in Darlington in the early hours of Sunday (September 1) morning following reports of a fire at a property.

The front of the neighbouring Bismillah Cash & Carry was also badly burned by flames which broke out at about 5am. Nobody was hurt as residents were evacuated in time.

(Image: Northern Echo)

Hours later, gas engineers could be seen working on digging up the road outside the properties.

Police tape was stretched across the street's junction with Thornton Street and the road was closed to traffic in both directions.

An investigation has now been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

A statement from Durham Constabulary reads: "Crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire, which happened shortly after 5am yesterday (September 1) in Gladstone Street.

(Image: Northern Echo)

"A joint investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the fire."

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service added: “Shortly before 5am yesterday (September 1), our control room received reports of a fire at a two-storey building on Gladstone Street in Darlington.

"Several fire engines from Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland fire stations attended the incident. Upon arrival crews found the ground floor of the building well alight.

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"Thankfully, all residents from the first-floor flats above had safely evacuated the building prior to the arrival of our crews.

"Wearing breathing apparatus, Firefighters used high pressure hose reel and water jets to extinguish the fire and left the scene at approximately 11.30am.

"We are working with our partners at Durham Constabulary to carry out a joint fire investigation to establish the cause of the fire."