Fire crews tackle blaze at recycling centre

People living nearby were advised to close windows after a pile of household waste caught fire

Firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a recycling centre.

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Burnt Mills Industrial Estate in Basildon at about 12:25 BST.

A pile of household rubbish, measuring approximately 10m (32ft) by 5m (16ft), was ablaze and the fire service asked residents to keep all windows and doors shut.

Incident commander Steve Kirkham said: "Crews have done a great job at surrounding the fire, which is now under control.

"Firefighters are working with the site staff to pick apart the rubbish using machinery.

"We are likely to remain here until the early evening to extinguish the fire."

Fire crews expected to remain at the site until the evening