A firefighter has been cleared of wrong-doing after a "party fire engine" turned up in the street of a fatal blaze just hours after a man died.

The converted engine arrived in Douai Drive, Consett, Durham, on 4 February where James Young, 87, had died.

The for-hire engine is run by the wife of Sunderland firefighter Ged Peters.

But an investigation by Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade found he had done nothing wrong as he is not directly involved with the running of the vehicle.

Richard Bull, chief officer of Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade, said an internal investigation had also found no evidence to suggest any of his staff had been on board the engine, which was full of revellers.

He said: "Mr Peters is a serving fire officer at Fulwell station, but our inquiries have found he is not directly involved in the business which is run by his wife.

"Our staff are allowed to do secondary jobs and Mr Peters has permission to drive executive and wedding cars, but he has not been driving the vehicle as far as we are aware.

"We have reviewed our second occupation policy and received an assurance that no personnel will drive or crew it. But I do have professional concerns about people dressing up and posing as firefighters."

Revellers on board the engine said it had turned up in the street of the fatal fire because it took a wrong turn.