Latest updates
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Five appliances remain at ‘large-scale’ fire at an electrical and battery recycling treatment facility - People told to avoid the area but restriction on going outside is lifted
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency officers are on the scene
- Eyewitnesses report a ‘chemical smell’ and hearing loud explosions
- Glasgow Airport said there was no disruption to flights but that the situation was being monitored
- Emergency services were called to WEEE Solutions at Linwood Industrial Estate at around 9.12pm on Sunday
- The huge thick plume of smoke could be seen for miles from across Glasgow and beyond
- The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said no casualties had been reported as of 5.39am
Firefighters remain at the scene of a huge blaze at a battery recycling plant near Glasgow with people told to avoid the area.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency officers are on the scene after a massive plume of thick, black smoke engulfed the sky above Lindwood Industrial Estate.
Emergency services were called to the “large-scale” fire at WEEE Solutions Ltd, a specialist waste electrical and battery recycling treatment facility at Burnbrae Road, shortly after 9pm on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses report a “chemical smell” and hearing loud explosions. The smoke plume could be seen for miles from across Glasgow and beyond.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said he was “very concerned” by the incident and urged members of the public to follow emergency service advice.
BenKit/SuppliedWatch
Drone footage shows huge smoke plume billowing across sky
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland remain on the scene more than ten hours later.
An eyewitness told STV News the sound was “like gunshots” and “there was steel flying everywhere” as “half of Linwood” gathered to watch the inferno.
The blaze broke out at WEEE Solutions operated by waste management company Enva, which said an “immediate and thorough investigation” is to take place into the cause of the fire.
A spokesperson said: “Our emergency response procedure was immediately initiated and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are currently on site and dealing with the incident which has now been contained.
“We would like to apologise to local residents and businesses for any inconvenience caused and kindly ask them to follow any advice issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“There have been no injuries and the cause of the fire will be the subject of an immediate and thorough investigation.”
Enva said any customers impacted would be contacted as soon as possible to “ensure continuity of service”.
The company’s general waste recycling facility, also in Linwood, is unaffected by the fire but will remain closed until emergency services remove the cordon.
“The black smoke is really thick and low in the sky and has totally eclipsed the sunset and we’re nearly two miles away,” said Natalie Goodwin, assistant producer for Scotland Tonight.
“The sounds of explosions and bangs have been going on for nearly an hour now too. It sounds like fireworks are constantly being let off. All the neighbours are out watching and listening.”
Police have closed Burnbrae Road at the Linclive Interchange due to the fire. The cycle path behind the industrial estate has also been closed.
Members of the public are asked to avoid the area until further notice with local residents asked to remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed, Police Scotland said.
Traffic Scotland confirmed the Interchange on the A737 was closed in both directions from 4.50am on Monday due to a police “incident.”
Drivers are being advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
STV NewsThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called at 9.12pm to reports of a fire in a building on Burnbrae Road, Paisley.
“At its height, Operations Control mobilised ten fire appliances to the scene to tackle and contain a well developed fire affecting a commercial building in an industrial area,” a spokesperson said.
“There are no reported casualties at this time. Crews remain in attendance.”
SFRS area commander David Murdoch 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 indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
BenKit/Supplied“If travelling through smoke, motorists should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.”
Judith Moore, Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) national duty manager, said: “Following initial reports at around 11pm on Sunday evening of a significant fire at Linwood Industrial Estate, Paisley, SEPA officers deployed and worked across the night to support SFRS as part of a multi-agency response.
“SEPA officers remain in attendance at the site of WEEE Solutions Ltd, a specialist waste electrical and battery recycling treatment facility at Burnbrae Road, Linwood.
“Residents are urged to continue to follow the SFRS for the latest information and advice.
“Environmental impacts can be reported at sepa.org.uk/report.”
The plume stretches over Linwood and was seen drifting west towards Johnstone and Brookfield.
Glasgow Airport said there was no disruption to flight arrivals or departures.
“There is no impact to our operations at present and we are continuing to monitor the situation,” a spokesperson said.
STV meteorologist Sean Batty was on the scene on Sunday night said: “I’m currently about a mile away as the crow flies from the fire and can hear the noise of fire engines and occasional popping from what sounds like explosions on site.
“The smoke is billowing up to what looks like around 2,000ft and blowing north and east towards the likes of Kirkitilloch and the Camspie Hills.”
Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby thanked frontline responders who continue to tackle the blaze.
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