New drone footage has shown flames tearing through an abandoned Darlington building.
Firefighters were called to the abandoned Valley House building, on Valley Street North, after a fire broke out around 5.40pm on Tuesday.
Five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform fought the flames into the evening while black clouds of smoke poured across the town.
Now, new pictures, provided courtesy of North East Drone Productions, have provided an aerial view of the fire in the derelict building.
The video shows flames engulfing the top floor of the site while smoke pours from the building, now open to the elements, and smashed windows and into the sky.
Smoke could be seen from several miles away following the fire, with pictures from the aftermath showing scorched brickwork, melted window frames, and several police cars guarding the scene.
The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has since confirmed that an investigation has been launched to identify the cause of the fire.
Latest footage from the scene
New drone footage taken today also shows the devastation left by the fire, with the entire top floor of the building left scorched by the flames.
CDDFRS Group Manager Dan Wootton said: “We were called at around 5.40pm yesterday (Tuesday) to a report of a large blaze at a premises in the Valley Street North area of Darlington.
"A total of five fire engines from Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham and Peterlee and an aerial ladder platform (ALP) were deployed in initial stages.
"Crews worked through the night until 2am this morning (Wednesday) to put out the blaze and periodical checks are continuing this morning to monitor the area and damp down any hot spots.
"Drivers should be aware that there may emergency vehicles operating in the area over the course of the day.
"We continue to ask that businesses and properties in the area keep their doors and windows closed should there be any smoke in the area.
"If you have any concerns about the smoke’s impact on your health please call your GP surgery for advice, following any instructions for out of hours services, or contact the NHS 111 service - which is free from both landlines and mobiles and open 24/7.
"Drivers should be aware that there may emergency vehicles operating in the area over the course of the day.
"We are assisting our colleagues at Durham Constabulary with an investigation into the cause of the fire.”
Durham Constabulary added: "At around 5.40pm yesterday (July 30) police were alerted to an ongoing fire in a derelict building on Valley Street, in Darlington.
"Crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service worked at the scene for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
"An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway."
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