Tyre blaze: residents allowed back home

Around 100 people were forced to flee properties on Frederick Street and Cawood Street, Mexborough, in the early hours of Monday morning after more than 120,000 tyres went up in flames on nearby White Lea Grove.

A team of 60 firefighters battled through the night and continued to damp down the blaze throughout Monday and Tuesday as residents found refuge with relatives or via arrangements made by Doncaster Council.

This morning a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. He added: “The fire was finally extinguished last night but three fire engines remain at the scene as a precaution.

“The Environment Agency and Health Protection Agency have been monitoring air quality and we will now await their decision on when local residents can return home.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire will follow.”