A second fire in less than two months broke out at a recycling centre in Hitchin last night, sending toxic fumes into the air.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called the Nationwide Metal Centre in Cadwell Lane at 11.50pm yesterday (February 7) following reports of a fire.

Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform attended the scene where crews found a large pile of scrap metal well alight.

Crews worked until the early hours of the morning to put the fire out, with the blaze extinguished at 6.50am this morning.

"Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 11.50pm yesterday evening to reports of a fire at a metal recycling works on Cadwell Lane, Hitchin," said a Herts Fire and Rescue Service spokesman. 

"Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were sent to the scene where crews found a large pile of scrap metal well alight.

"Firefighters made steady progress fighting the fire throughout the night, assisted by site staff, and the fire was all out by 6.50am this morning.

"Two fire engines remain at the scene this morning to damp down hotspots."

Herts police warned residents in nearby roads, including Wilbury Way Grove Road and Woolgrove Road to keep their windows shut, with the fire sending toxic fumes into the air.

This is the second fire at the site in less than two months, following a blaze on the night of Monday, December 11.

Before that blaze, nearby residents made complaints about "noise, fire and explosions", with Hitchin Bearton councillor Val Bryant warning about the risk of future fires at the site.

There was also a 100-tonne electrical goods fire at the site back in 2018, with black smoke visible as far off as Letchworth and Stevenage.