More than 70 firefighters tackled the scrapyard blaze in Byker, Newcastle on Thursday 19 May.

A fire officer said water was pumped from the Tyne using a kilometre-long high-volume hose.

Pictures and tweets about the cloud of smoke caused Byker and Ouseburn to trend on social networking site Twitter in the UK.

The flames took around four hours to control.

Surrounding buildings were evacuated after the fire was reported at lunchtime, Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade said.

The Environment Agency was also involved in the operation.

At the height of the blaze there were traffic delays along Newcastle Quayside, City Road, Shields Road and Byker Bridge.

There were 72 firefighters, 14 fire appliances and four specialist appliances at the scene including two aerial ladder platforms and a high volume pump.

A Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Our Control Room has been inundated with calls about the incident and we would like to thank the public for their vigilance."

A number of explosions were reported coming from the facility in Albion Row, in the Byker area of the city.

The aerial ladder platforms can reach a height of 30 metres and are being used to tackle the fire from above. The high volume pump can pump out 8,000 litres of water a minute over a distance of 3km (two miles)

People have reported seeing the smoke around 60 miles away in the Scottish Borders.

Jill from Gateshead said: "It looked like things were going mad because it was a billowing red inferno, it's not just a small yard this one, it's a big scrap yard. This was very dramatic. Big, black billowing smoke. It started with a very dramatic fire itself. Huge flames. And it was just before 12 when we noticed it...I have never seen black smoke like it. "

Gateshead Council advised people in nearby homes and businesses to keep doors and windows closed because of thick smoke.

People all over the North East have been taking pictures of the fire in Byker.

A dramatic backdrop for the huge cloud of smoke is provided by churches and other buildings.