A large fire broke out at the Mid UK Recycling facility on the Copper Hill Industrial Estate in Barkston Heath, near Grantham, on 18 October 2025, sending thick plumes of smoke into surrounding villages.
A statement provided by Mid UK said: “A fire broke out at our waste recycling facility at Copper Hill Trading Estate, Barkston on Saturday 18 October. There have been no injuries.
“The Fire Brigade remains onsite, and all relevant regulatory authorities have been contacted in relation to the incident.”
Fire services called to scene in Grantham
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called to the scene at 5.21pm, with multiple crews in attendance throughout the evening.
Police and emergency services urged residents in nearby areas to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke.
In a statement on Saturday, Lincolnshire Police said: “Due to weather and wind tonight, it’s likely that surrounding villages may be affected by smoke, namely Sudbrooke, Ancaster, and Barkston, though others in the area may be impacted.
“Residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed, and anyone who can smell or see smoke should take precautions.”
A number of local roads were temporarily closed while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
Police added: “There was not thought to be any risk to public safety, though some smoke remains in the air. Police are no longer on scene and Fire colleagues remain as the lead agency.”
Fire at Grundon facility in Leatherhead
Earlier in the week, on 16 October 2025, firefighters were called to a fire at Grundon Waste Recycling’s facility on Randall’s Road, Leatherhead.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that eleven fire and rescue vehicles, including water carriers, attended the scene.
The fire affected the Re-use Shop located at the Leatherhead Community Recycling Centre, but was extinguished later that evening.
No injuries were reported, and crews remained on site for several hours to ensure the area was safe.
As a result of the fire, recycling crews for Woking and Elmbridge – who normally deliver to Grundon’s site – were temporarily diverted to an alternative facility in Berkshire.
Joint Waste Solutions said this was unlikely to affect recycling rounds in Woking, but there may be minor delays in Elmbridge collections.
The recycling centre is expected to reopen today (20 October 2025) following safety checks and clean-up operations.
These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 23 October 2025 at the Hallam Conference Centre in London. Bringing together regulators, operators, and safety experts, the event will explore case studies, prevention strategies, and the latest innovations to help the industry strengthen its resilience – secure your ticket here.
Subscribe for free