A massive blaze has broken out at a chemical plant near Newcastle.
Fire crews were called to the Distillex plant in East Percy Street, North Shields, Tyne & Wear this afternoon to tackle the fire.
No reports have yet been received about any injuries.
One eyewitness said fumes could be seen from the site about 15 miles away at Newcastle Airport.
She said: "The volume of smoke is immense, people are driving around just looking and wondering what has happened.
"It is a steely grey smoke with great clouds billowing up, you can even smell it as well."
A Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade spokesman said 10 fire engines and a turntable vehicle were at the plant.
A half-mile exclusion zone was set up around the factory as plumes of acrid black smoke filled the air.
Police have advised people living within the zone to leave their properties and go to the nearest public building such as the public library in North Shields.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "A half-mile exclusion zone has been put in place around the area and the Metro system has been stopped between Tynemouth and North Shields.
"People who are returning from work to this area have been advised to go to a relative's home and to let people know where they are.
"There are large clouds of smoke particularly affecting the South Tyneside area and people are advised to stay indoors and to keep all doors and windows firmly shut."
PA