Probe into cause of major fire at Nottingham recycling centre

An investigation into the cause of a major fire at a recycling centre in Nottingham is due to begin.

On Monday, several crews were sent to the site in Abbeyfield Road, Lenton, where a large cloud of smoke was visible above the city.

The fire service said crews had got the blaze under control.

It has warned a small amount of smoke continues to blow in the direction of the A52, so urged drivers to keep their windows and doors shut.

The flames were still burning well into the night

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said Abbeyfield Road had reopened, but warned pedestrians and cyclists that pavements were being used "for some firefighting equipment".

A fire service spokesperson added there had been reports of asbestos in the area as a result of the blaze.

"If you have any ash in your garden or around your property, please contact your local authority," they said.

The Environment Agency said on Twitter it was "continuing to advise on environmental impacts".

People who have ash in their garden have been advised to contact their local council

Area manager Bryn Coleman said the blaze had been challenging for firefighters.

"When crews arrived they found a serious fire in progress in a waste cardboard recycling plant," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"Unfortunately the fire spread rapidly throughout the building causing significant damage.

"We've had some challenges in terms of water supply. We've been hampered by a lot of smoke from this incident, so it has been quite a tricky firefighting operation.

"Crews have worked extremely hard."

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said some smoke continued to blow towards the A52

While the emergency was ongoing, another in a series of deliberate false alarms was set off in a city centre apartment block.

A fire service spokesman renewed the call for anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers or police, saying the "games" were putting lives at risk.