Dockland fire under control

More than 70 firefighters have been tackling a large dockland blaze on south Tyneside.

Nineteen fire appliances were at the scene overnight.

The fire broke out at Reeves Timber Merchants on Tyne Dock in South Shields at 0150BST.

The operation to fight it is being scaled down, but fire crews are still at the timber yard.

During the incident in Commercial Road, water had to be pumped directly from the River Tyne.

Dry weather and high winds hindered fire crews, who had to attack the fire from above and below.

Half the timber has been saved.

This is the third fire involving timber on Tyneside in recent months.

The cause of the incident is being investigated.