Eight fire crews were called to Mangotsfield this morning (May 17) after a huge fire broke out at South Gloucestershire Council's Sort It recycling centre. Carsons Road was blocked with people urged to avoid the area as ten firefighters and a drone unit got the fire under control.
Locals were advised to shut their windows and doors due to a plume of smoke in the area, but that guidance has since been lifted. Fire crews have extinguished the blaze and by 2.30pm the fire service said there were "five appliances still at the scene [which will be] packing down and leaving shortly".
Following a brief investigation, it has been confirmed the cause of the fire was accidental. South Gloucestershire Council said in a statement that the fire was at one of the non-recyclable waste areas, and urged locals to use one of its other refuse centres today.
Also read: Mangotsfield fire LIVE: Ten fire engines attend huge blaze at recycling centre
A statement from Avon Fire and Rescue reads: "At 10.50am crews from Kingswood, Hicks Gate, Temple, Yate, Portishead, Southmead, Pill and Avonmouth were mobilised to reports of a fire at a refuse centre on Carsons Road, Mangotsfield.
"Firefighters used two 45mm jets, two high pressure hose reels and multiple thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the blaze. 12 firefighters wore breathing apparatus for safety.
"The service drone was also in use to check the severity of the blaze. Positive pressure ventilation fans were used to clear smoke logging from the building.
"Mechanical machinery was used on site to dig out materials to extinguish the flames. In total, 10 fire engines, the drone unit and the welfare unit attended the scene. The cause of the fire is thought to be accidental.
"During the incident, local residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area. This guidance has now been removed as the fire has been extinguished."
Shortly before 4pm, the council advised on Twitter: "[Firefighters] have put out the fire and are investigating the cause. The site will stay closed while the building is checked & we'll provide an update soon."
You can follow our live blog on the incident for more updates as they happened.
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