Fire crews still at blaze site two days later

Simon Taylor An industrial site with a large plume of black smoke in the distance. The back of a white lorry is to the left of the image.
Simon Taylor
A major incident was declared after a "significant" fire broke out at a recycling centre in Avonmouth

Firefighters are continuing to dampen a "significant" blaze at a recycling centre more than 48 hours after it started.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will begin after the incident is concluded, a spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) said.

Roads were closed when the fire broke out and the public was asked to avoid the area. Residents living nearby have been advised to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut due to the ongoing presence of smoke.

In a statement, an AFRS spokesperson said: "A single crew remains on site at the SUEZ facility on Kings Weston Lane, monitoring for any remaining hot spots as the fire area is cleared.

"A full fire investigation will be carried out once all operational activity on site has concluded to establish the cause of the fire."

A major incident had been declared on Wednesday but was stood down later in the day.

Fred Stinchcombe, regional manager at Suez UK, said the fire broke out at a facility where dry mixed recycling from local households and businesses is sorted.

Staff were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, he confirmed.

Matthew Crovetto, AFRS group manager, told BBC Radio Bristol the fire spread "quite rapidly" and had "heavily damaged" the roof and internal structures.

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