Fire breaks out at former working men's club

Image caption, The derelict building in New Herrington caught fire in the early hours of the morning

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a former working men's club.

The derelict building in New Herrington, Sunderland, caught fire in the early hours of the morning.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) staff at the scene said they had previously been called to fires at the site before but this one had "taken hold".

The fire is almost under control but there is "still a lot of smoke in the area", they add.

Firefighters arrived at the building, near the B1628, at about 05:00 BST.

Its roof was badly damaged, TWFRS added.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The incident is ongoing, and we currently have two fire appliances and an aerial ladder platform at the scene.

"No persons have been reported present."

Follow 麻豆社 Sunderland on , and . Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.