Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Keelman's Way, cycle and footpath along the south bank of the River Tyne, has been diverted here for several months after an underground fire broke out in February 2015. The fire is thought to be associated with material used to infill two large ponds at this location following closure of Clara Vale colliery in 1966. The fire spread quickly over a considerable area on the riverbank beneath the existing footpath and has already been responsible for the loss of several trees and with risk of ground collapsing into the river. The golf course has dug deep trenches further inland in an attempt to protect its property. Recent prolonged rainfall had more or less damped things down permanently but as the rising smoke still shows, some element of the fire still smoulders below.