Community concerns as fire ravages scrap metal yard

Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk firefighters worked for hours to bring the large fire under control at Sackers

A councillor has expressed concern after a major fire broke out at a recycling yard.

Eighty-five firefighters were called to Sackers scrap metal recycling yard at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, on Thursday.

This recycling centre had two other large fires last year but bosses stressed they had in place approved fire prevention plans.

Conservative councillor Chris Chambers told BBC Radio Suffolk: "I think it's very concerning for residents and I think they've got every right to feel concerned."

Mr Chambers, who represents the Gipping Valley ward, which Great Blakenham falls under, has been in the role for the past four years and has seen the other fires at the site.

He called on Sackers to offer reassurance following Thursday's fire.

"[Residents] have every right to seek some sort of reassurance from Sackers," he said.

"This isn't the first [fire]."

Greater Anglia train services were cancelled while the fire was dealt with

Sackers has previously said it had safety measures in place including an Environment Agency approved fire prevention plan.

However, it blamed lithium batteries, not being disposed of properly by members of the public, for the cause of the previous fires.

"The nature of the business suggests there is a strong possibility of these types of things happening," Mr Chambers added.

"We don't know what the cause of yesterday's fire was - previously it was lithium batteries and they do get in the waste stream, and it's very difficult to control that."

Mr Chambers said he would be writing to the Environment Agency, which licenses the recycling centre.

He explained he wanted to know more on the safety measures.

"I don't want to condemn [Sackers], they are a local employer," he added.

"This isn't about a witch-hunt, this is about trying to find a constructive way forward so residents feel reassurance, they feel safe but also Sackers can operate in a safe and meaningful way in collaboration with the local community."

About 85 firefighters were on the scene before they managed to get the fire under control by 15:15 BST

Stephen Meadows, who has lived in the area for about nine years, said he felt "more concerned" after witnessing this latest fire.

"We would just like them to respond to the community telling us what they are doing."

He added: "I'm all for supporting businesses and I've lived in the area for 25 years.

"When I moved here, [we] didn't have problems with lithium batteries as such so there were no fires for the first six years of living here.

"Then it's been a spate of four fires in over two years."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said its presence at the site was "no longer required".

"Our Officers returned to the site today and are content that environmental harm is being adequately managed through tankered removal of fire water from the site; additionally, there has been no breach of the site permit conditions."

Sackers has been approached for comment.