Firefighters tackle huge blaze at a Wiltshire recycling plant after mountain of rubbish caught fire
- Fire erupted late on Wednesday evening at recycling plant in the village of Stert
- Nearby residents have been told to shut their windows due to volume of smoke
- Dorset and Wiltshire fire service said ‘the exact cause may never be established’
- Up to 300 tonnes of residual waste was found ‘well alight’ by the firefighters
A major fire has erupted at a recycling centre in Wiltshire after up to 300 tonnes of rubbish caught ablaze late last night.
Dozens of firefighters were sent to tacke the flames after being called to the scene near Devizes, Wiltshire, shortly before midnight on Wednesday evening.
Fire crews remained at the incident this morning as they continued to battle the blaze at the centre in the village of Stert.
Nearby residents have been told to close their windows due to the volume of smoke in the area.
The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service warned that the flames are set to continue ‘for a number of days.’
A spokesperson said: ‘The first crews in attendance found some 200-300 tonnes of residual waste well alight and used two main jets to prevent escalation of the fire.
‘On site staff assisted using loading shovel machinery to create fire breaks in the pile of waste, working with firefighters to help contain the blaze.
‘As of 6am today the incident has been scaled back to one fire engine and one water carrier and we will remain on scene for a number of days to provide a watching brief.’
Group Manager Richard Coleman added: ‘We are advising local residents to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke in the area.
Dozens of firefighters are tackling the flames after being called to the scene near Devizes, Wiltshire, shortly before midnight (Pictured: Recycling centre in Stert, Wiltshire, up in flames late on Wednesday evening)
Nearby residents have been told to close their windows due to the volume of smoke that in the area
‘As this fire will be ongoing for a number of days we will update the public with any concerns regarding the smoke should they arise.’
The fire service said the blaze is under investigation but is believed to have started accidentally, although ‘the exact cause may never be established.’
Crews from Calne, Pewsey, Royal Wootton Bassett and Trowbridge had been in attendance in the early hours of this morning.
The site is believed to be managed by Grist Environmental.
Mail Online has contacted the company for comment.
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