Get you up to speed: Two dead after fire destroys house in North Shields | News UK
Two people died in a house fire on Cragside Avenue in North Shields shortly after 3.30am on Wednesday. Emergency services, including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police, responded to the incident, but despite their efforts, the victims, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s, could not be saved.
In total, five fire appliances and multiple ambulances responded to the incident following an emergency call at 03:27. An investigation is underway, with police seeking information from the public as inquiries are at an early stage.
Northumbria Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the house fire that claimed two lives in North Shields, urging anyone with information to come forward. A cordon remains in place around the affected area while neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution during the emergency response.
What remains unclear — Investigators have not disclosed the cause of the fire.
Two fatalities confirmed in North Shields house fire early Wednesday
Two people have died in a house fire which broke out shortly after 3.30am on Wednesday.
The police and fire brigade rushed to an address on Cragside Avenue in North Shields, where they found a man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s.
Despite the efforts of responders they couldn’t be saved. Police say the next of kin for both have been told.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Barry McAtominey from Northumbria Police said: ‘This is an absolutely devastating incident in which two people have tragically lost their lives.
‘All of our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. Enquiries remain at a very early stage, and with the support of our partners from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, we are determined to establish exactly what happened.’
Sign up for all of the latest stories
‘We are asking anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to come forward and share what they know.’
Two neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution, and a cordon remains in place.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that five appliances attended an incident in North Tyneside.
‘The emergency call came in to our Control Room team at 03:27, and appliances from our Tynemouth, Byker, South Shields and Gosforth Community Fire Stations were dispatched to the North Shields area. The incident involved a fire in a house. Firefighters rescued persons from the property and extinguished the blaze.’
Three ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader and three hazardous area response team resources were sent to the scene.