West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) confirmed that crews were alerted at around midnight to a fire at the scrapyard on Knowsthorpe Road in Cross Green, Leeds.
At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and one aerial ladder platform were in attendance as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
In its first update, WYFRS advised: “All residents in the area around the site are being asked to keep doors and windows closed due to a large smoke plume. Please avoid the area.”
The fire service later confirmed that the response had scaled down overnight, with four crews remaining on site. Relief crews were due to take over during the day on 7 January to continue damping down and checking for hotspots.
‘No injuries were sustained’
EMR has confirmed the incident, stating that the fire broke out at approximately 10.30pm on 6 January.
The company said its on-site team activated emergency protocols immediately and contacted the fire service.
An EMR spokesperson said: “Working closely together, our team and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service brought the incident under control quickly and safely.
“We would like to thank the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for their rapid response and support.
“We are pleased to report that no injuries were sustained, and there has been minimal structural damage to the site and equipment.”
Lithium-ion battery behind blaze
According to EMR, initial investigations indicate that a lithium-ion battery was the cause of the fire.
The spokesperson added: “Lithium-ion batteries are responsible for more than 1,000 fires in the UK waste sector each year.
“Despite our stringent quality assurance measures, these hazardous items continue to pose a significant risk to recycling operations globally.
“We remain committed to reducing the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries by working closely with our customers, partners, and battery manufacturers.”
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has warned of the surge in battery-related incidents, recently describing the situation as reaching “epidemic levels”.
Lithium-ion cells can ignite when damaged or crushed, common occurrences in mixed waste streams. Once compromised, the batteries can enter thermal runaway, rapidly reaching extreme temperatures capable of igniting surrounding materials.
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