Huge fire breaks out overnight in Sunderland's Villiers Street

Firefighters have been tackling a huge blaze which broke out overnight.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue crews were called out to Villiers Street in Sunderland as flames and smoke took hold.

The fire is understood to have begun after midnight. The fire and rescue service posted on X at 3.44am urging people living nearby to keep their windows closed to help stay safe from smoke.

Roads in the area were also closed.

Crews were still working to battle the fire 7am this morning, and a presence remains in the area.

A spokesman told reporters: "We got a call at about midnight to reports of the garage on fire, and, at its highest, we had six appliances in attendance.

"We have alerted the gas board, electricity board and the Environment Agency and are asking residents to keep windows and doors closed, as there is still a large amount of smoke in the area."