'Keep doors shut' warning six days after huge fire

A huge fireball engulfed part of a recycling site

Some residents near the scene of a huge fire have been told to keep their doors and window shut six days after the blaze started.

The advice from the fire service applies to people affected by smoke from the incident at Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden, Northamptonshire.

The service said all roads in the area had now been reopened and that firefighters still remained on site.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were "undertaking checks of the site throughout today [Thursday] to monitor temperatures and dampen down remaining hotspots."

The fire started shortly before 06:30 BST on 23 May at a recycling warehouse on the industrial estate.

Bales of plastic stored for recycling were damaged by the intense heat of the fire

A total of 15 crews from across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties were called to the site and a major incident was declared.

Roads were closed and people living nearby were told to keep their doors and windows shut.

Six days on, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said: "Local residents that are still affected by the smoke are advised to continue keeping their windows shut".

A tornado-like smoke plume was visible from several counties

Some roads were temporarily closed on the industrial estate on Wednesday but have now been reopened.

NFRS said investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing.