Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue said it was called to the Metal & Waste Recycling Ltd site at the Walsworth industrial estate at 05.28 this morning (19 December).
0615hrs Update – We currently have 5 fire appliances and 1 aerial ladder platform, around 35 Firefighters in total, at the scene. Crews are using main jets and establishing water monitors to fight the fire which contains a large quantity of metal recycling.
— Herts Fire Control (@HertsFRSControl) December 19, 2019
In a statement given to letsrecycle.com, a spokesperson for Metal & Waste Recycling Ltd said: “In the early hours of December 19 our safety systems detected a fire at our facility on Wallace Way, Hitchin.
“Our incident processes were immediately deployed and both our teams and emergency services were quickly on site.
“The fire has now been contained and brought under control and there have been no injuries.
“Our thanks go to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and our team who quickly reduced risk and made the area safe. We apologise to our neighbours affected by this.
“We will now work alongside the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.”
Fire service
The fire service said specialist breathing apparatus and jets were in use at the scene and that 14 engines from across the region, including Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage, were tackling the fire.
Police and the Environment Agency have been informed and are in attendance.
Though “steady progress” is said to have been made, the fire service has confirmed that the scrapyard is still ablaze but it has been contained.
Residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
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