Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has been tackling a large-scale fire at a landfill site in Telford since around 5am this morning.

The call was received at 4.44am (Thursday, 17 September) for an incident at the Granville Recycling Plant, Grange Lane, Redhill and covers an area of approximately 300m2 across steep-sided terrain.

Six appliances have been sent to the incident where a large plume of smoke has been billowing into the sky above the centre of the site.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               Drone credit @SamBagnallPhoto

Group Manager Adam Matthews said: “Crews are working hard to bring the fire under control which is of significant size covering a vast area over difficult and steep terrain. We’re likely to be here for some time dealing with it.”

Drone footage with thermal imaging capability is being used to identify the extent of the fire and is being provided by supporting service, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

A national waste fires tactical advisor from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is also at the scene, providing specialist advice.

Numerous supporting vehicles are also being used including two 4x4 incident support vehicles to help access the site, high capacity pumping units and the Service’s incident command vehicle.

There is still a significant smoke plume in the Red Hill area of Telford. This is expected to remain for some time with wind direction and speed forecast to remain constant for the rest of the day. 

Mr Matthews added: “The team will continue to work hard to bring this incident to a safe resolution and we will provide updates as soon as we are able.”