A significant fire devastated the popular Dinosaur Cove attraction at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields on the evening of December 26, 2023. The blaze, which broke out shortly before 19:00, led to extensive damage, prompting a large-scale emergency response from local fire services.
Firefighters from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service battled the flames for several hours, ultimately concluding their operations around 03:30 on December 27. A total of six fire engines, along with specialist appliances and three senior officers, were deployed to manage the incident. The rapid spread of the fire forced a police cordon to be established around the site, which remained in place into the following day.
Emergency services were initially assisted by the North East Ambulance Service, which was called to the scene. However, they were later stood down, indicating that there were no injuries reported as a result of the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with officials from both the fire service and Northumbria Police coordinating efforts to determine what led to the incident.
A spokesperson for the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service stated, “At the height of the incident, there were six fire engines, specialist appliances, and three officers on the scene. The incident was concluded at 03:30 hours and all appliances have now left the scene. We will be supporting partner agencies with the investigation but cannot at this time confirm the cause of the fire.”
On Saturday morning, December 27, a visible police presence continued at the site, with the cordon still in effect. The popular attraction, known for its family-friendly dinosaur-themed displays, had been a staple of the local community and a significant draw for tourists to the seaside park.
As the investigation unfolds, local residents and visitors are left reflecting on the impact of this fire on their community. The incident follows a separate fire earlier in December that left a family in Liverpool without a home on Christmas Day. Such incidents highlight ongoing concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness in residential and recreational areas.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the fire at Dinosaur Cove to come forward, as they work to piece together the events leading up to this unfortunate incident.
