The Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead began shortly after midnight on 6 October 1854, when fire was discovered at J. Wilson & Sons’ worsted mill in Hillgate on the Gateshead side of the Tyne.

The mill contained wool, oil and other combustible material, and the fire spread rapidly. Nearby stood a large bonded warehouse containing sulphur, nitrate of soda and other goods. As the mill burned, the warehouse also caught fire.

Firefighters attempted to control the blaze while crowds gathered on the bridges, quays and surrounding streets. At about 3.10 a.m., the warehouse exploded.

The blast caused severe damage in Gateshead and killed and injured people nearby. Buildings were wrecked, and burning material and masonry were thrown over a wide area. Debris crossed the Tyne and started fires among the closely packed buildings of Newcastle’s Quayside.

Newcastle soon faced a major fire of its own. Warehouses, businesses and homes caught fire as the flames spread through streets and narrow lanes running back from the river. Firefighters who had concentrated on the original Gateshead blaze were now faced with fires on both banks.

Help arrived from surrounding towns as crews continued trying to contain the fires.

Fifty-three people were killed, and hundreds were injured. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed or damaged, leaving large parts of Newcastle’s and Gateshead’s riverside areas in ruins.

Investigations followed into the original fire and the warehouse explosion. The exact cause of the fire at the worsted mill was never established.