TV and radio services were disrupted for some this afternoon after a 1,000ft-tall transmission mast caught fire.

More than 30 firefighters and six fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, which has now been extinguished, on the North Yorkshire Moors.

Firefighters said the fire at the Bilsdale transmitting centre included the tower itself, which is 315 metres (1,032 ft) tall.

There were reports of TV outages across North Yorkshire and Teesside.

NYFRS said in a statement: ‘North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance tackling a fire at Bilsdale transmitting centre, which includes Bilsdale mast.

‘We currently have six fire appliances and our mobile water bowser as well as command and control assets in attendance.

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‘Crews are working hard to control the fire in difficult circumstances – it is unclear at this time if any of the centre’s transmitting capability has been affected or the cause of the fire which will be investigated in due course.

‘NYFRS ask that members of the public do not go near to the site, particularly as this area has limited access and we need to be able to move vehicles and people around to help fight the fire.’

The tower was built in 1969 and currently supplies digital TV signals to a large area of north-east England.

The fire is understood to be affected transmission of a range of TV broadcasts, including Freeview transmission.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘TV and radio services are being disrupted in parts of North Yorkshire and Teesside following a fire at the Bilsdale transmitter.

‘We’re in close contact with the company that runs the transmitter who are working on restoring services. For those in the affected area, BBC Radio Tees is still available on BBC Sounds and online, as are the BBC’s other radio stations. BBC TV can be viewed through BBC iPlayer and on cable and satellite platforms.’

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