Tire fire breaks out at UK recycling plant

ERJ staff report (TP)

North Yorkshire, UK − A fire involving 1,000 tonnes of tires at a recycling plant has sent a plume of black smoke into the air and caused flights at an airfield to be grounded, reported the BBC today (16 January).

About 70 firefighters are tackling the fire at Newgen Recycling in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, which started at 08:40 GMT.

The fire service advised residents near the plant to keep windows and doors closed.

Some flights at the nearby airfield have been grounded because of smoke.

Chris Stringer, chief flight instructor at Sherburn Aero Club, said: "It has cut off the eastern approach to the airfield.

"At the moment, it's preventing an approach on one runway. [The fire] is blowing rich, black smoke and it's intensifying by the looks of it."

Twelve schools and a children's centre have been advised to keep staff and pupils inside, a North Yorkshire County Council spokeswoman said.

She added: "There will be further advice to schools as the day goes on. More schools and children's centres may be contacted depending on the wind direction."

Environment Agency officers are at the scene to help minimise the impact on the air and water.

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Full story from BBC