Firefighters battle Sunderland pub blaze overnight

Flames took hold of the Cavalier pub overnight

Firefighters who tackled a fire that ripped through a derelict pub have said it was a "difficult" and "long" night.

Crews were called to the Cavalier pub in Silksworth Lane, Sunderland, and found the building alight at about 00:45 GMT on Wednesday.

Plans to build a housing development on the site were recently considered by Sunderland City Council.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) said it was working with police to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Crews said they "worked tirelessly" to put it out and to ensure it did not spread to woodlands nearby.

Nobody was injured in the incident, but TWFRS said it as a "long night with the darkness and freezing temperatures meaning tackling the fire was even more difficult".

TWFRS said it as a "long night with the darkness and freezing temperatures"

Deputy chief fire officer Stewart Nicholson praised his team, who arrived at the scene four minutes after the service was alerted and "worked tirelessly through the night".

A cordon is currently in place at the scene.

A spokesman for Sunderland City Council said a planning application for the demolition of the public house and the construction of housing at the site was recently given consideration.

The council agreed to approve the plans, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations.

The application remains under consideration as the legal agreement has not yet been completed, the council added.