Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the site on Marston Road, Eynesbury, at 10.52am yesterday (11 August 2026), after reports of a building fire.
Crews from Wisbech, March, Chatteris, Yaxley, Cambridge, Sawtry, Littleport and St Neots, alongside crews from Bedfordshire, attended the incident.
Firefighters arrived to find a “large, well-developed fire” involving recycled materials. More than 25 firefighters were in attendance, with crews working in sectors to tackle the blaze using breathing apparatus and hose reels.
Around 200 tonnes of material was reportedly “well alight” when crews arrived.
Members of the public were advised to close windows and doors if affected by smoke and to stay away from the area.
Biffa said all employees at the waste transfer station were “quickly and safely evacuated” following the fire, with no injuries reported.
The company said: “Our focus now is to support the emergency response which is being managed by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.”
Crews remain on site
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews would remain at the site on Wednesday (12 August) and would reinspect the area.
The service said the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental.
The incident comes as waste and recycling fires continue to affect facilities across the UK during a period of hot, dry weather.
Over the weekend, firefighters tackled a 4,000-tonne scrap metal fire at a recycling centre in East Tilbury, Essex, while a separate blaze at a waste facility in Dagenham required 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters.
Fires at sites in Corby and in Milton Keynes were also ongoing yesterday.
Industry bodies including the Environmental Services Association (ESA) have warned that battery-related fires – particularly those linked to improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries – are now occurring at what they describe as “epidemic levels”.
The recent heatwaves have also heightened the risk of fires spreading through stockpiled waste.
The ESA has published guidance to help waste and recycling operators protect frontline workers during the heatwave. It recommends reviewing fire prevention measures and taking additional steps to minimise ignition risks during periods of extreme heat.
These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 21 October 2026 – find out more here.
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