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Police and firefighters investigate battery plant blaze

Josh Fryer Aerial footage shows huge plumes of smoke rising high into the sky over the still-blazing siteJosh Fryer
Aerial footage shows huge plumes of smoke rising high into the sky over the still-blazing site

Police and firefighters have begun investigations into the cause of a blaze at a battery recycling plant in North Ayrshire.

The fire at Fenix Battery Recycling on Byrehill Industrial Estate in Kilwinning broke out at 12:40 on Wednesday - a year after another fire at the site.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) dispatched 10 fire engines to tackle the blaze and crews remained overnight to dampen down the scene.

Police Scotland said there were no casualties, but several houses in the area were evacuated as a precaution.

North Ayrshire Council said it was "clearly a matter of concern" that a second incident had occurred at the site and it would be seeking answers.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to engage with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who have responsibility for the regulation and enforcement of the site.

"Our role over the past 24 hours has been to ensure we put care and support in place for those directly affected."

A burnt out industrial structure behind police tape with debris strewn on the concrete in front.
Residents near the blaze site have been told not to pick up batteries or other debris

A cordon remained in place around the site on Thursday but surrounding roads were reopened.

People living in the area were advised to be keep windows, doors and vents closed, and not to pick up any batteries or debris.

A SFRS spokesperson said: "At its height, Operations Control mobilised 10 fire appliances plus specialist resources. The fire is now extinguished.

"One fire appliance remains on the scene as firefighters continue to dampen down and monitor for hot spots."

Flames and explosions rip through battery recycling plant

Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from Fenix Battery Recycling, exactly a year after another fire at the site which raged for two days.

In September last year, environment agency Sepa revoked the firm's waste management licence as part of an "enhanced package of enforcement action".

It was required to remove any waste that breached the licence to another facility.

The enforcement action meant Fenix has to meet guidelines by June, including removing fire debris, repairing damaged infrastructure and implementing a fire prevention and mitigation plan.

Sepa said its officers had attended the site "to take samples from nearby watercourses, and would continue to monitor the situation closely".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A joint Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service investigation to establish the cause of the fire is underway."