Fire at North Shields recycling centre

Over 30 firefighters from 3 fire crews battled a serious fire at a recycling centre in North Shields last weekend.

The fire started at the North Tyneside Council Waste and Recycling Centre at around 10am on Saturday.

Emergency services closed lanes on the nearby dual carriage way due to the large amount of thick black smoke coming from the fire. Local residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed, and to remain inside if possible.

All staff were safely evacuated from the building and fire crews prevented the flames from spreading to neighbouring office blocks.

Kevin Dodds from Gosforth Fire Station said: “We quickly established and confirmed with the site management, that the materials on fire were not hazardous.  That was initially our first concern, obviously for the safety of the crews involved and the public at large.  The cause has yet to be investigated.”