BY IAN CROUCH
Firefighters are battling a large factory fire at Wickham.
Newcastle Fire Command says they received 4 triple zero calls to Newcastle Auto Electrics at the corner of Foundry and Church Streets just after 3.30am on Thursday to find the factory complex well alight with flames through the roof.
Around 30 firefighters from 4 stations and the Hazmat unit are at the scene and more crews are on the way.
Firefighters are battling the flames in defensive mode from the street and here are reports the roof of the building has collapsed.
There are also concerns for neighbouring factories in the block covering an area of about 200 x 200 metres.
Police and Ambulance crews are also at the scene.