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Fire crews tackling blaze at waste recycling site

Dawid Wojtowicz/BBC A large plume of thick grey smoke billowing up into the sky from the recycling centre. Flames are coming up from rubble on the ground and water is being sprayed onto the fire. There are several fire engines at the scene. Dawid Wojtowicz/BBC
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene on Wallace Way and asks people in the immediate area to keep their windows and doors closed

An MP has called for a "national conversation" on lithium battery fires after a large blaze at a waste recycling site.

Six fire engines and aerial ladder platforms were sent to Wallace Way in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, at 02:30 GMT after a large fire.

More than 60 emergency calls were made to report the fire and a high-volume pump was set up, resulting in the closure of a junction between Cadwell Lane, Wilbury Way and Woolgrove Road.

There have been multiple waste site fires in Hitchin recently. Labour MP Alistair Strathern hoped to spark conversation on the dangers of batteries fires, but admitted it was too soon to tell the exact cause of this incident.

Herts Fire and Rescue Service Ariel view of a huge fire, which looks like a glowing yellow ball, in the centre of a recycling centre.Herts Fire and Rescue Service
Fire crews are warning people to avoid the area

Firefighters have been called to several fires at Hitchin recycling plants recently:

  • December, 2019: About 35 firefighters tackled a blaze on Wallace Way
  • December, 2023: Crews were called to a fire at the Bridge Works on Cadwell Lane
  • February, 2024: Firefighters were called to the National Metal Centre, in Cadwell Lane, Hitchin
  • July, 2024: Six fire engines attended a large fire, at Nationwide Metal Centre,, Cadwell Lane
  • September, 2024: Five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were sent by to Global Ardour Recycling in Wallace Way

Strathern said he felt "frustration" and "disbelief" at the outbreak of another fire.

He praised the "heroic efforts" of firefighters, adding most of the previous fires had been cause by lithium batteries, but it was too soon to tell the exact cause of this.

Strathern told BBC Radio Three Counties he would call for tougher local action and a "national conversation".

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service A large pile of metal is on fire with a huge plume of dark black smoke rising into the skyHertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
In July Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a fire on the industrial estate at Nationwide Metal Centre

Mark Barber, assistant chief fire officer, said crews had been on site since before 03:00 GMT.

"People at properties in the vicinity should keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke and we are working closely with Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, the Environment Agency and UKHSA to ensure health and environmental risks are carefully monitored and managed.

"Some roads in the area may be closed to ensure public safety and give our firefighters space to work, please check your journey before you travel.

"I'd like to thank our firefighters for their hard work, colleagues from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for their support, and the public for their patience."

‘Frustrated disbelief’: Labour MP for Hitchin, Alistair Strathern, reacts.

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