Two roads have been closed and 15 crews have been called to a huge fire at a recycling centre near Ipswich.

Emergency services were called to the Sackers recycling centre in Great Blakenham at around 9.57am on Thursday to reports of a fire coming from a recycling bin.

Gipping Road and Mason Drive have been closed due to the fire, say police.

Residents in the area have also been warned to close doors and windows due to the thick black smoke. 

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue said: "We are currently on scene dealing with a fire that has broken out in the scrap metals section of Sackers Recycling in Gipping Road, Great Blakenham."

Huge plumes of smoke can be seen at the scene.Huge plumes of smoke can be seen at the scene. (Image: Edvardas Gasparovičius)

"It has produced a thick smoke plume that can be seen for at least two miles and we are advising people to keep windows and doors shut, and to please avoid the area if at all possible."

Fifteen fire crews have been called to the fire including appliances from Ipswich East, Princes Street, Woodbridge, Framlingham, Felixstowe and Newmarket.

Witnesses say they can see plumes of smoke from as far as Trimley, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Mendlesham and Claydon.


This comes after huge fires also took place at the recycling centre in January and February last year.  

Greater Anglia have now announced that all lines between Needham Market and Ipswich are currently blocked due to the fire.