Fire at Kilnhurst recycling warehouse was 'accidental'

Emergency crews at the scene in Wharf Road. Photo credit: Lee Jenkins.

Firefighters were called to Universal Recycling on Wharf Road just after 9.30am, where crews remained for more than three hours, after machinery and equipment within the building caught fire.

The incident resulted in a multi-agency response from Police, the Environment Agency and Utilities.

Wharf Road was closed until crews left the scene at around 1pm.

"The cause of the fire at the warehouse in Kilnhurst was accidental due to a battery catching fire," said a fire service spokeswoman.

The "quick actions of the incident commander and the crews" resulted in the fire being kept under control swiftly, she added.

This is the third fire at the site in two years.

In June 2017, 500 tonnes of plastic went up in flames, causing schools, homes and businesses to be evacuated.

And 13 months later in June 2018, a fire broke out at neighbouring firm Moulding Solutions due to faulty machinery.