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Firefighters have rushed to the scene of a massive warehouse blaze near Cambridgeshire where plumes of smoke can be seen billowing for 10 miles.
Fire crews were called to the inferno at Monoworld recycling centre on the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate, Rushden, at around 6.30am today.
Twelve fire engines are currently on the scene which has now been declared as a ‘major incident’ with crews evacuating staff from the warehouse and the neighbouring industrial units. Everyone has been safely accounted for.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) say they also deployed three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump to tackle the fire ‘involving a large quantity of plastic’.
Gas to the site has been isolated which could affect up to 500 properties nearby, with fire crews saying they expect to be on site for the rest of the weekend. All roads on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate have also been closed.
Residents as far away as Stotfold, Harrold and Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire reported seeing the smoke in the air.
An NFRS spokesperson said: ‘We are currently dealing with a large fire at a recycling warehouse on Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden.
‘Crews were called shortly before 6.30am and on arrival found a fire involving a large quantity of plastic at the premises. The building was evacuated prior to our arrival.
‘We are receiving cross border support from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with this incident, and we anticipate we will be on scene for the rest of the weekend.
Fire crews were called to the inferno at Monoworld recycling centre on the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate, Rushden, at around 6.30am today
Ten crews arrived on the scene and evacuated staff from the warehouse while tackling the fire which is said to involve ‘a large quantity of plastic’
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) say they also deployed three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump.
The fire service also deployed three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump
‘A section of Wellingborough Road near the warehouse is closed, and due to the large smoke plume coming from the blaze, we are asking people nearby to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed.’
Area Manager Mick Berry, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘This is a large fire that is having a significant impact on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden.
‘A multi-agency decision has been taken to declare a Major Incident, but fire crews are working extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading and reduce the smoke plume.
‘We would urge people to stay away from the site while emergency services deal with this incident and ask nearby residents to close windows and doors due to the large amount of smoke issuing from the site.
‘We anticipate that we will be on scene over the rest of the weekend, and we appreciate the impact this is having on local businesses on the estate and would like to thank them for their patience.’
A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: ‘There is a large incident in Rushden (Northants) and smoke can be seen from the Harrold and Sharnbrook areas.
‘If you see smoke, there’s no need to ring 999 – emergency services are aware and are dealing with the incident.’
Northamptonshire Police is assisting with firefighters and its officers have warned of a number of road closures in place as a result of this morning’s fire. These are:
- A full closure of all slip roads at junction 16 of the A45, both eastbound and westbound (the A45 itself is open past the scene)
- Ditchford Road, between the junction with Mill Road and the A45
- Northampton Road at the junction with Wellingborough Road
- Wellingborough Road at the junction with Washbrook Road
Officers have advised road users to avoid these areas and find alternative routes.
Environment Agency Midlands also confirmed they had officers on scene ‘to help minimise environmental impacts’ of the blaze.
Local reports say pieces of debris from the incident have landed in nearby gardens and onto homes.
