Fire sweeps through recycling facility

MORE than 60 firefighters have spent several hours overnight tacking a blaze at a material recycling site in Simmonswood, West Lancashire.

The incident was escalated to eight fire engines with additional units called in from Greater Manchester and Merseyside after fire broke out shortly before midnight.

The building is approximately 150m by 50m and houses a mixture of household recyclable waste.

There were 5 HGVs on site which firefighters protected from the fire using a water curtain.

United Utilities were also called to the scene to help with water supply.

Firefighters managed to contain the fire using ground monitors and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it was confident that surrounding businesses would not be affected.

However, anyone living or working in the area near the smoke plume was advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

The cause of the fire, so far unkown, is being investigated.

Lancashire FRS said the fire was surrounded by 5.30am and firefighters are attempting to gain access to parts of the site to dampen down any seats of fire and hot spots.

There were no reports of any injuries