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Sherburn-in-Elmet tyre blaze could 'go on for days' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A major fire involving 15,000 tonnes of tyres at a recycling plant in North Yorkshire will "go on for days", the county's fire chief has said. | |
Nigel Hutchinson said the cause of the blaze at Newgen Recycling in Sherburn-in-Elmet was not yet known. | |
About 70 firefighters from across Yorkshire have been at the Lennerton Lane plant since 08:40 GMT. | |
Residents and school pupils were told to stay indoors as a plume of fumes billowed over nearby villages. | |
Mr Hutchinson said: "It is a significant fire and one that is difficult to tackle. It's the sort of incident that will go on for days. | |
"We are anticipating a large part of the stack, if not the whole stack, being involved." | |
An eyewitness who works at the airfield in Sherburn-in-Elmet told BBC Radio York that he could see flames the height of the hangars at the airfield - at least 20-30ft (7-10m) high. | |
"It's absolutely colossal. It's like a tornado when you look at it close up, with the heat swirling and all the rest. It's absolutely amazing," he said. | |
Twelve schools and a children's centre have been advised to keep staff and pupils inside, according to North Yorkshire County Council. | |
A spokeswoman said: "There will be further advice to schools as the day goes on. More schools and children's centres may be contacted depending on the wind direction." | |
Environment Agency officers are at the scene to help minimise the impact on the air and water. | Environment Agency officers are at the scene to help minimise the impact on the air and water. |
Some flights at a nearby airfield have been grounded because of the smoke. | |
Chris Stringer, chief flight instructor at Sherburn Aero Club, said it has cut off the eastern approach to the airfield. |