Staff at Randstad Limited, on the North Nelson Estate, were overpowered after what is believed to be an electrical fault started the fire.

Residents in the immediate area were advised to keep their windows closed to stop fumes, which were not believed to be toxic, from entering their homes.

The fire broke out at 3.20pm today (Friday) in the back of the company's warehouse, near to a shredder.

The company specialises in automotive parts including car paints and aerosols, and according to its website the warehouse stocks more than £1m worth of products.

Staff initially tried to deal with the blaze using 13 fire extinguishers in an attempt to control it, but in the end were beaten back.

A total of eight fire engines, including some from as far away as Hexham, raced to the scene to tackle the blaze.

Phil Dowd, sales director at the 23-year-old company, told newspostleader.co.uk: "Myself and a colleague from the warehouse tried to extinguish the fire.

"Initially we managed to control it but it became too dangerous inside and we had to get out.

"We could almost control it but couldn't put it out, we went through and ran out of 13 fire extinguishers.

"Fire minutes later the fire crews were here.

"The only thing I can think of as the cause is a shredder at the back.

"The fire brigade think it was an electrical fault and there was nothing else in that area.

"There was about 40 staff inside at the time but they all got out safely.

"It's not the weekend I had planned. I just don't know where to start."

Roads around the area were expected to remain closed until approximately 7pm.

Passers-by and interested parties were also seen stopping close to the site to get a close up view and take pictures of the blaze.

One even commented that he had been at the Angel of the North when he saw the smoke from the burning factory.