Monoworld is a large plastic waste reprocessor and exporter of plastic packaging, and also has recycling centres in Sharnbook, Bedfordshire and Hartlepool and County Durham.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called onto the scene on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate at 6.30am on 23 May 2025. Twelve crews are said to have been tackling the blaze, which naturally involves a large amount of plastic. Three aerial appliances, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump are among the resources being used.
The building was safely evacuated prior to the rescue service’s arrival, and people are being asked to avoid the area, with the industrial estate closed. The fire service says the gas supply to the Sanders Lodge estate has been “isolated”.
‘Significant impact’
Mick Berry, the area manager from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is a large fire that is having a significant impact on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden.
“A multi-agency decision has been taken to declare a major incident, but fire crews are working extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading and reduce the smoke plume.
“We would urge people to stay away from the site while emergency services deal with this incident and ask nearby residents to close windows and doors due to the large amount of smoke issuing from the site.
“We anticipate that we will be on scene over the rest of the weekend, and we appreciate the impact this is having on local businesses on the estate and would like to thank them for their patience.”
The site of the fire is close to Rushden Lakes – a large outdoor shopping complex located on the opposite side of the A45 dual carriageway.
The A45, a major east-west route through Northamptonshire, remains open as normal despite its close proximity to the blaze, but motorists are being advised to “keep windows up and air conditioning off”.
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