'Homes evacuated' due to ruptured gas pipe fears after fire at disused building

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Homes have been evacuated by emergency services after a fire at a disused building raised fears of a suspected ruptured gas pipe.

Four properties near Tees Cottage, off Acklam Road, in Thornaby, were evacuated as Cleveland Fire Brigade crews were called to an incident shortly before 3.40pm on Sunday, June 15. A fire was located to the rear of the building and Northern Gas Network teams were called to the site due to a suspected ruptured gas pipe.

An investigation into the incident is now ongoing but Cleveland Police has confirmed no one was injured. Crews were at the scene until 6pm on Sunday as a "protective standby", the brigade has said.

Pictures from the scene show how a cordon was erected near the derelict property, close to the entrance of Thornaby Football Club. A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "[We] were called on Sunday 15 June at 3.38pm to an incident at Tees Cottage on Acklam Road. Two fire engines from Middlesbrough and Stockton attended the scene.

"The fire was located to the rear of the building, with a suspected ruptured gas pipe. As a precaution, four nearby properties were evacuated. Crews extinguished the fire and remained on scene on protective standby. The gas board also attended to isolate the gas supply. The stop message was received at 6pm."

A number of Northern Gas Works vans are understood to be at the scene on Sunday afternoon. A Cleveland Police spokesperson added: "We were made aware by fire brigade colleagues of a fire in a disused building on the grounds of Thornaby Football Club.

"It was reported that there was potential damage to a gas pipe therefore as a precaution a small number of nearby properties were evacuated. There were no reports of any injuries and enquiries are ongoing."

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