Pictures have revealed the extent of the fire that tore through a recycling centre in Hitchin last night, spreading toxic smoke across the town.
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."
A Herts police spokesman added: "Police were called at around 12:14am today to a report of a large industrial fire at a metal recycling centre in Cadwell Lane in Hitchin.
"Officers attended and assisted fire and rescue service crews at the scene. There were no reports of injuries, and no road closures were put in place.
"Residents living near the metal centre are asked to keep their windows closed following the fire, as there are toxic fumes in the air. The roads effected include Wilbury Way, Grove Road and Woolgrove Road."
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.
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