Fire crews tackle blaze at recycling plant in Great Blakenham

Fire crews who have been tackling a blaze at a recycling plant have advised nearby residents to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke.

The fire at Sackers in Gipping Lane, Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, began just after 03:00 GMT.

A train line runs parallel to the plant and services were initially suspended due to potential hazards but have since restarted "under caution".

Residents have reported the fire breaching a concrete safety wall.

Sackers has been asked to comment.

A drone was used to help fire commanders assess the fire and prevent it from spreading

The fire at the recycling plant began at about 03:00 GMT

Some train services between Ipswich and Stowmarket were being affected by the fire, Network Rail said.

Incident commander Ian Mallett, from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As the fire is contained within the boundary, we will work with the site operators to extinguish the fire during the day.

"We expect to be here for most of the day and for local residents our information is that we wish you to stay indoors and if in the house with your doors and windows shut."

Train services were suspended initially as a precaution because the nearby train line runs parallel to the recycling plant

At its height some 18 crews were in attendance.

A fire broke out at the plant last month when 300 tonnes of scrap metal and car shells caught fire.

According to a nearby resident the fire is the fourth since 2011.

Sadie Ewers, 40, who has two children, said she called the fire service after waking up to sounds of "explosions like gunshots".

"What was scary about this one was where the concrete fences are, it's [the fire] come over the fences this time," she said.

"It's never happened before, on other occasions it's always stayed behind the fence."

'Quite worrying'

She and other neighbours had emailed the firm this morning asking for reassurance that more would be done to prevent future fires, especially their severity.

"It's really disappointing, when we first moved in we didn't have any for years, but to now have two fires in quite close succession makes it quite concerning and worrying," she said.

Ms Ewers said she had been told previously by Sackers that infrared heaters and sensors had been installed to detect fires before they took hold.

Train services were suspended initially as a precaution because the nearby train line runs parallel to the recycling plant

On its Facebook page Sackers said: "We can confirm we have a fire on-site at our Claydon yard which started at 3am this morning, which is currently being tended to by the fire service.

"Thankfully no-one is hurt and the fire is contained and not spreading.

"The cause of fire is under investigation by the police and more information will be forthcoming when we know more."