AN INVESTIGATION is under way into the cause of a major blaze at a plastics recycling plant in east Hull. The fire broke out at Taylor's Environmental and Recycling Services Ltd in Century Road yesterday afternoon during a five-hour walkout by firefighters in an ongoing dispute over pensions.
Nearby residents were warned to stay indoors with their doors and windows closed as thick smoke billowed from the plant. Hedon Road was shut for hours to allow fire crews to bring the blaze under control. One eastbound lane remained closed this morning as firefighters continued to douse down the fire.
Andy Killingsworth, of Holderness Road, east Hull, had seen the blaze from Beverley and was watching as he drove along Hedon Road just before its closure at about 2pm.
"I just feel sorry for the fire service who have come out on strike and this happens," he said. "I'd hate to have to try to tackle a fire like this or be anywhere near this fire and all this smoke. They are putting their lives at risk."
The fire service received the first 999 call at 12.48pm and six fire engines, an aerial appliance and a water support unit raced to the scene in an attempt to bring the blaze under control. Officers say the thick, black smoke was caused by the burning of tightly packed paper inside the plant.
No one was working inside the plant at the time.
The smoke seen from Tower House Lane.The smoke was blown towards the Preston area. One witness driving close to the scene of the fire said: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It looked terrible. I just hope there was no one nearby when the fire started."
Humberside Police criticised people for trying to get close to the fire to get a photograph.
A spokesman said: "Despite the obvious dangers posed to spectators, large crowds gathered, with spectators including young children attempting to get near or within the cordon to see the flames. This was putting the people and the officers guarding the scene in extreme danger."
Black smoke filled the skies around Taylor's Environmental and Recycling Services Ltd as the fire took hold.
People reported seeing the smoke as far afield as Hornsea and Aldborough. In Preston, residents were warned to keep their doors and windows closed. The power also went out in the village for several hours.
A photo of the smoke taken by reader Adam Barley.Mike Rouseden, who runs the Nag's Head in Preston, said: "The power went off and we looked outside and there was a big plume of smoke. Everybody rushed outside.
"There was a smell of burning plastic and a few people have said it has given them a headache."
Hedon Road was closed in both directions for several hours while the fire was tackled.
A Humberside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire was under control by about 4pm yesterday and they hoped to have it put out completely by the early hours of this morning.
The spokesman said: "We anticipate we will be on the scene for some time. At this stage, we have no idea about the cause of the blaze.
"That is something we will start investigating once the fire is out."
The spokesman confirmed no one was injured in the blaze as the plant did not operate on a Sunday.
