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Battery recycling plant fire 'not suspicious'

BBC Charred buildings pictured after a major fire at a battery recycling plant. The corrugated iron roof has collapsed and the surrounding area is strewn with blackened batteries and debris. Blue and white police tape can be seen in the foreground of the image. BBC
The charred remains of buildings following the fire at the battery plant

A fire at a battery recycling plant in North Ayrshire which led to homes being evacuated was not started deliberately.

The blaze 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.

But following a joint Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Police Scotland investigation, the force confirmed the blaze was not suspicious.

Local residents reported a series of explosions and spoke of their terror as the flames took hold.

The SFRS dispatched 10 fire engines to tackle the blaze and crews remained overnight to dampen down the scene.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran's public health team has urged locals to continue to keep windows and doors shut and vents closed.

Residents are also advised not to pick up any batteries or debris from the surrounding area but instead to report items to SEED Environmental Ltd.