Devizes fire: Crews bring huge blaze at recycling centre under control

Crews are expected to be on site for the rest of the day

Firefighters have brought a major blaze at a recycling centre under control.

The fire was spotted at about 23:00 GMT at the centre in Stert, near Devizes in Wiltshire, and crews from five fire stations were called to help.

People living near Monument Hill were told to keep their windows closed due to the level of smoke in the area.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said it would remain at the site "for a number of days".

In a statement the service said: "The recycling centre fire in Stert, Devizes is now under control and retained.

"We will be on scene for a number of days maintaining a watching brief and smoke will continue to affect the area so we are still advising local residents to keep doors and windows closed."

The fire service said the fire at the centre, run by Grist Environmental, was thought to have started accidentally.

Grist Environmental said preventative fire breaks were in place to stop the blaze spreading

At the scene: Karen Gardner, BBC News

The smoke from the fire is drifting up the picturesque Pewsey Vale. The grey cloud is visible from five miles away.

Ash and scorched paper from the recycling centre are falling onto the surrounding fields, I actually found a piece of someone's French homework on the ground.

Grist Environmental serves communities from Swindon to Warminster and even into Somerset. Some of the site still seems to be operating as there are a handful of skip lorries coming in and out.

Paul Mortimer, from Grist Environmental, said the fire was spotted by a company crew on patrol and was contained on a concrete floor with concrete walls and surrounded by a soil bund on two sides, which had prevented it from spreading.

The facility on Monument Hill consists of approximately 200-300 tonnes of residual waste that was destined for a Waste to Energy facility in Aylesbury.

Mr Mortimer said: "Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service were immediately notified and were very quickly in attendance to ensure that the fire was under control and not presenting any danger to people and property."

The plume of smoke could be seen from a near-by field

Fire appliances from Calne, Pewsey, Royal Wootton Bassett and Trowbridge were originally called to the scene, near the Fox and Hounds pub, along with local crews from Devizes.

Group manager Richard Coleman said: "As this fire will be ongoing for a number of days we will update the public with any concerns regarding the smoke should they arise."

The Environment Agency has been notified and is liaising with the fire service.