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Langley Park fire: Blaze strands people at Diggerland Langley Park fire: Stranded Diggerland visitors freed
(about 1 hour later)
About 150 people are stranded at a Diggerland theme park due to a fire at a neighbouring industrial estate. More than 150 visitors stranded at a Diggerland theme park because of a fire at a neighbouring industrial estate are now able to leave.
Hundreds of tyres are alight at a factory unit on Langley Park Industrial Estate, near Durham City, with more than 30 firefighters in attendance. Hundreds of tyres caught fire at a factory unit on Langley Park Industrial Estate, near Durham City.
Diggerland, where visitors can operate full-size diggers, said people are unable to leave because access roads are closed for safety reasons. Thick smoke led to temporary closures of local roads which stopped Diggerland customers leaving the attraction. They have since reopened.
One man has been treated for the effects of smoke. Durham Police has arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of arson.
Police have warned motorists of drifting smoke on the nearby A691. 'Bit of a nuisance'
Diggerland managing director Andy Ballantyne said: "Because of the fire, all the roads around here have been closed so we can't get customers in or out at the moment. Firefighters are still tackling the blaze.
"Obviously we have some quite irate and upset customers who cannot get into the park, but others think they'll be stuck here all night and be able to play on the diggers. There is still a significant amount of black smoke decreasing visibility and drivers have been warned to take care.
Diggerland's managing director Andy Ballantyne said earlier: "Obviously we have some quite irate and upset customers who cannot get into the park, but others think they'll be stuck here all night and be able to play on the diggers.
"It's a bit of a nuisance and there is a lot of smoke about.""It's a bit of a nuisance and there is a lot of smoke about."
One man was treated for the effects of smoke.