Nottinghamshire residents issued urgent health warning as huge fire erupts
A raging inferno has engulfed a recycling plant with residents living nearby urged to shield themselves from the thick smoke which is now drifting.
Firefighters are urging people to keep windows and doors shut as they tackle billowing flames from a recycling plant. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue has sent six crews to Elkesley near Retford.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire is said to have started from a metal recycling unit in the area. Thick smoke is billowing above and engulfing neighbouring areas.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service reported the incident at 8.20pm on Wednesday, August 21. Locals claim the smoke is drifting over Retford as the crews try to bring the raging inferno under control.
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Drivers 'stopping on A1 to look at fire'
Motorists stopping their cars at the A1 bypass to look at the blaze have sparked a warning from the fire service.
It said: "We have had reports of drivers stopping on the A1 to observe the incident.
"This is dangerous and could block the route for emergency service, avoid the area and allow us to resolve the incident as quickly as possible."
Eighty firefighters deployed to tackle raging fire
The fire service confirmed 80 firefighters are now at the Alpine Industrial Park off Jockey Lane in an attempt to contain the fire.
In their latest update, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said they expect their crews to stay at the blaze scene "for a number of hours."
They also reiterated locals should "keep doors and windows closed if affected by the smoke."
Photos show billowing clouds of black smoke from recycling centre fire
Photos have been circulating on social media showing black clouds of thick smoke emerging from the burning A1 Metal Recycling centre in Elkesley, near Retford.
Locals told to keep doors and windows closed
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue have advised locals near the blaze to keep their doors and windows closed because of the billowing smoke.
In a message on X, they said: "We currently have 6 appliances at a fire at recycling facility in Elkesley.
"We are advising any affected by the smoke to keep doors and windows closed."
20:20 | Fire | We currently have 6 appliance at a fire at recycling facility in Elkesley. We are advising any affected by the smoke to keep doors and windows closed. pic.twitter.com/gI0CLHz8NB
\u2014 Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (@nottsfire) August 21, 2024
Eight fire engines now on scene of massive fire
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said they expect the crews to be on scene for "a considerable amount of time."
They confirmed eight fire engines are now tackling the blaze.