Wallsend shop arson triggers explosion
Arsonists are being blamed for an attack on a Tyneside furniture store which triggered an explosion.
About 20 firefighters were called to the store in High Street East, Wallsend on Thursday night.
No-one was hurt in the incident, which Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said was being treated as malicious.
A spokesman said a minor explosion resulted from the fire, which reached several old fridges in an adjacent storage area.
At one point the fire spread to a telephone pole and some neighbouring properties were evacuated for a time.