Three people taken to hospital following suspected arson attack on North Shields home

Three people have been taken to hospital following a fire at an address in North Shields.

Emergency service were called to the scene Waterville Road area of North Shields at around 3:30 am on Monday 16 January.

Northumbria Police has confirmed it is treating the incident as a suspected arson.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police have launched an investigation following a report of a house fire in North Shields.

"Shortly before 3:45am today (Monday) police received a request for assistance from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who were in attendance at an address on Vicarage Street.

"Officers and emergency services attended the scene and three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"Due to concerns over the safety of the property, a number of residents were also evacuated and have been taken to a reception centre.

"A cordon is in place and at this time, Waterville Road is closed between the junction with Howdon Road and Cardonnel Street, with closures are expected to remain in place for some time.

"An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, and at this early stage it is being treated as a suspected arson."

Tyne and Wear Fire Service attended the fire, along with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

A NEAS spokesperson said: "We received a call this morning at 03:27am to a private address in the Waterville Road area of North Shields. 

"We sent three emergency ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a duty officer and four Hazardous Area Response Teams.

"Three patients have been taken to a local hospital for further treatment."

Go North East have also posted on their social media to tell passenger they are unable to service stops at Vicarage or Elsdon Street.

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