Recycling plant blaze 'under control'

Four fire engines are still at the scene of the incident which started yesterday morning at the Universal Recycling plant on Wharf Road in Swinton.

It was believed that up to 500 tonnes of plastic were ablaze.

Police closed off Wharf Road and there was limited access to Springfield Road, Beighton Road, and Waterway Lane.

Kilnhurst Community Resource Centre on Victoria Street in Swinton provided space for people to go overnight.

Police advised residents to seek alternative accommodatiopn last night due to the smoke coming from the site which had produced a huge black cloud which billowed over a large area. There were claims it could be seen 15 miles away.

Bus services were interrupted and drivers were told to steer clear of the area.

This morning, a fire service spokesman said fire crews were still on site and would be for some time.

He said: “It’s under control but there is still a fair bit of work to do.”

He said that there was no indication as to the cause of the blaze yet and that no injuries were known.