Brighton fire: Whitehawk blaze erupts in seaside city – smoke seen for miles
A fire in Brighton was tackled by the emergency services.
A fire erupted at a recycling centre in Whitehawk, Brighton, with smoke seen billowing into the sky across the city. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene shortly after 1pm following reports of a blaze at Sheepcote Valley.
The fire is believed to have started at a recycling centre on Wilson Avenue, with smoke at one point visible from miles around, including central parts of the city. Residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed as crews worked to bring the situation under control. Two fire engines were in attendance and firefighters used jets, foam and breathing apparatus to tackle the flames. Emergency services confirmed there were no reports of injuries, but asked people to avoid the area while operations continued.
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Blaze is out now, fire service says
East Sussex Fire and Rescure Service has said the fire is believed to be out.
Firefighters are now damping down using hose reel jets to make sure any hot spots are dealt with, according to the service.
Locals urged to shut windows and doors
People living near the scene of the fire are being urged to keep their doors and windows shut by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Please avoid the Sheepcote Valley area of #Brighton. We are dealing with a fire. Two fire engines are currently at the scene.
\u2014 East Sussex FRS (@EastSussexFRS) April 28, 2026
Updates will be posted here: https://t.co/ywS7SqiPKR pic.twitter.com/x57dk7xyLo
Smoke billowing across the city
Smoke can be seen billowing across the city, as seen in this footage.
Massive fire in Brighton, prob recycle waste site, going since yesterday nite \ud83e\udd1e\ud83c\udffd pic.twitter.com/YnOy4ABY8Q
\u2014 Yes, I\u2019m A Witch\ud83c\udf19 (@Rosamojo) April 28, 2026
People asked to avoid the area
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has asked people to avoid the Sheepcote Valley area.
Two fire engines are currently working at the scene.
Please avoid the Sheepcote Valley area of #Brighton. We are dealing with a fire. Two fire engines are currently at the scene.
\u2014 East Sussex FRS (@EastSussexFRS) April 28, 2026
Updates will be posted here: https://t.co/ywS7SqiPKR pic.twitter.com/x57dk7xyLo
Fire and rescue statement
"East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at 1.02pm on 28 April 2026 to reports of a fire at Sheepcote Valley in Brighton.
As of 1.20pm we have two fire engines in attendance.
Please avoid the area. There is quite a lot of smoke and we are asking people to keep doors and windows closed.
Our Joint Fire Control has received more than 25,999 calls from members of the public.
We will provide further updates.
Update at 1.30pm: We can confirm there is a fire involving multiple plastic wheelie bins.
Firefighters are using two main jets and firefighting foam, as well as two breathing apparatus.
Three fire engines are now at the scene.
There are no reports of injuries."
Location
The fire is believed to have broken out at the Veolia Environmental Services recycling centre on Wilson Avenue in the Whitehawk area of Brighton.
The site sits in Sheepcote Valley, with large plumes of dark smoke rising from the location and drifting across the city, visible from miles around including central Brighton.
Emergency services remain at the scene, and people have been urged to avoid the area while crews continue to respond to the incident.
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A major fire is reported to have broken out at a recycling centre in Brighton.
We will bring you more update as they arrive.
