Blaze destroys caravan and two cars

A major catastrophe was narrowly avoided when a caravan burst into flames just metres from petrol and diesel pumps at Mickleton Service Station on Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze left the caravan gutted and two vehicles destroyed with one seriously damaged.

The flames were so intense that they singed the signs above the service station, destroyed a telegraph pole leaving the village without phones or internet, and scorched grass and vegetation on the opposite side of the road.

Cotherstone resident Robert “Taff” Johnson said he was travelling behind the caravan for about a mile before coming into the village and had noticed smoke coming out of it.

However, the caravan was too wide for him to pass so he was unable to flag down the driver.

He said the driver must have seen the smoke when he entered the village and came to a halt just outside the service station.

He said the driver opened the door of the caravan and then it burst into flames.

Firefighters from Middleton-in-Teesdale attended to the blaze. Barnard Castle firefighters also attended but returned to base because the Middleton crew had already got the fire under control.

The main road through the village was closed for an extended period prompting helpful residents to guide drivers along narrow back streets to continue their journeys.

Alistair Hutchinson, from Mickleton Service Station, said: “A vehicle towing a caravan was travelling through the village and stopped just past the forecourt of the garage as they had noticed smoke coming from the caravan.

“Thankfully, due to Middleton Fire Brigade’s fast response this was professionally dealt with.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to all the emergency services involved for preventing what could have been a major incident.”

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.23pm on July 22, to a caravan fire at Mickleton Service Station, on the B6277, Barnard Castle. One fire engine from Middleton-in-Teesdale attended.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to put out the fire before leaving the scene at 3.31pm.”