Firefighters tackle blaze at scrapyard

PLUMES OF SMOKE COULD BE SEEN FOR MILES

MORE than 70 firefighters tackled a raging inferno at a scrapyard near Coventry.

Huge plumes of rolling black smoke from White’s Scrapyard, on the London Road A45, could be seen for miles around.

The smoke was so thick that flights in and out of Coventry Airport were suspended for a short time, although the airport-based air ambulance remained in operation.

Loud bangs and pops could be heard as the flames raged.

Residents living nearby were told to close their windows, and children at Willenhall Community Primary School in Coventry were not allowed outside.

The Environment Agency was later called to the site to prevent pollution getting into the nearby River Avon.

The scrapyard is opposite Prologis Park, home of businesses like UK Mail and Jaguar Land Rover.

Over 70 firefighters from across three regions were sent to the fire.

Crews from Coventry stations, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue were all working together to tackle the blaze.

The Telegraph contacted Mr White of White’s Scrapyard, who said the fire started in a large pile of metal scrap and car components, although fire fighters are still unable to find the cause of the blaze.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they had not been called out.

It is thought that fire crews will be there for some time, but Warwickshire Fire and Rescue haven’t yet confirmed how long.