A shelter-in-place order has been issued by emergency officials (Picture: Dave Johnston)
Residents have been told to stay home and keep their doors and windows shut as firefighters remain at the scene of a recycling centre blaze.
A fire has raged at Fenix Battery Recycling in Kilwinning, Scotland, for more than 24 hours, with hundreds of locals reportedly evacuated.
Police advised residents in the North Ayrshire town to stay indoors as a precaution while emergency services dealt with the incident.
The Pryde of Playz community centre has opened its doors for displaced residents who can do nothing as the thick black smoke bruises the sky.
Reports of a fire at the plant, on Byrehill Place, were received by fire services at 10pm yesterday.
Video footage showed the inferno ripping through the centre’s roof, with witnesses describing hearing ‘explosions’ as batteries inside the plant burst.
The fire erupted yesterday evening (Picture: Dave Johnston)
One local told STV News the plant was an ‘accident waiting to happen’ and added that the noises from the fire ‘sounded like a terror attack’.
While Bobby Stevely, 71, told The Scottish Sun: ‘It was like Beirut round here last night. The bangs went on for hours. It was like a war zone.’
Charlene McAliece, 44, said she was forced to sleep in her car last night after safely dropping off her children with family.
In a 6.45pm statement, the fire service said firefighters remain at the scene.
No casualties have been reported and the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
Area Commander Jim Quinn said: ‘We continue to work with the recycling centre and partner agencies to minimise the disruption to the local community and will continue to provide updates.
‘While smoke continues to be visible, we would ask that residents remain at home, and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
‘If travelling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.’
Police said that while there has been no evacuation order enforced, ‘this will be kept under review’.
Health officials have advised people sheltering in place at the nearby West Byrehill estate to stay indoors, close all windows and doors and switch off any mechanical ventilation, such as air conditioning.
‘This situation has the potential to continue for more than 24 hours due to the current smoke levels in the surrounding area,’ they said.
‘Services on-site are continually monitoring the situation and will update as soon as new information becomes available.’
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