Firefighters are tackling a large fire at a Powys town scrap yard that sent a plume of smoke that could be seen from several miles away.

Residents in the Knighton area have been advised to keep windows closed as a safety precaution due to the large volumes of smoke coming from J Tranter Scrap Metal at Five Turnings.

Crews from mid Wales, Shropshire Telford, Hereford and Worcester rushed to the scrap yard at around 8.53pm on Monday evening (August 8).

The fire involved a 20x30ft steel frame building, approximately eight scrap vehicles and several hundred tonnes of scrap rubbish.

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Five Turnings scrap yard fire near Knighton on Monday evening (August 8, 2022). Picture by James Lewis/Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

 

On Tuesday morning, Clun Fire Station posted on Facebook: "En route to the incident, large smoke plumes could be seen from several miles away.

"Fire crews worked swiftly with the help of the occupiers to tackle the blaze and stop it spreading further to the surrounding area and buildings.

"Please be aware that this incident is still ongoing, so the road is likely to be closed. Also, due to the large amount of smoke in the area, we would advise nearby residents to keep their windows closed."

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In a statement, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 8.53pm on Monday, August 8, 2022, SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting a fire classified as fire commercial in Knighton.

"Eight fire appliances including the Environmental Protection Unit, the Incident Command Unit, the Light Pumping Unit and the Water Carrier were mobilised from Albrighton, Church Stretton, Clun, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Telford, Telford Central and Tweedale. Operations, Hazmat, Safety and Principal officers were in attendance.

"Fire at a scrap yard involving one 20x30ft steel frame building, approximately eight scrap vehicles and several hundred tonnes of scrap rubbish. Eight fire appliances plus special appliances mobilised to the incident with assistance also provided by Hereford & Worcester Fire Service and Mid & West Wales Fire Service."