Huge blaze at recycling plant
FIRE crews spent more than 12 hours tackling a major blaze at a recycling plant in Kilwinning.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to a report of a fire on Byrehill Place, Pennyburn, at 10.05pm on Monday, April 8.
Six fire appliances and a height vehicle were sent to the scene, with four vehicles remaining on site at lunchtime on Tuesday as crews continued to tackle the blaze.
Police advised those living in the area surrounding the blaze to stay indoors and ensure all windows and doors remained shut.
Some people living closest to the scene of the fire were evacuated as a precaution, with The Playz, run by Pennyburn Regeneration Youth Community Enterprise, made available as a place of refuge.
Pennyburn Road was also closed off, but had reopened by the time dawn broke on Tuesday, though Byrehill Place itself remained closed.
Many residents living nearby reported hearing loud “bangs, pops and explosions” coming from the scene of the fire.
No casualties were reported as a result of the fire, though the flames could be seen from miles away on
Monday night and the smoke was still clearly visible over a large distance on Tuesday.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said on Tuesday lunchtime: “We were alerted at 10.05pm on Monday, April 8 to reports of a building on fire at Byrehill Place, Kilwinning.
“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and one height vehicle to the area, with firefighters working to extinguish a fire affecting a recycling centre.
“There are no reported casualties and three appliances and one height vehicle remain at the scene.”