West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says it was called to a property fire on Pepper Road in Hunslet, Leeds, which continues to burn into Wednesday morning and has caused road closures
Residents expressed their fear – and described a “horrendous smell” – after a huge fire tore through a property last night.
The fire continues to burn into Thursday morning on Pepper Road in the Hunslet area of Leeds. Emergency services remain at the scene and are working hard to bring the fire under control.
But residents shared their concern on Facebook, with one writing: “Crikey I’ve just been in my back garden and was an horrendous smell, I bet it was this.” Another posted: “Oh my God” in shock at the towering flames. A further comment reads: “Sounds like explosions”. One driver, who was travelling several miles away on a motorway, posted: “I’ve just smelt this on M621.”
Councillor Paul Wray, who represents Hunslet and Riverside in Leeds, posted on Facebook: “I am aware of a fire on Pepper Road in Hunslet. The fire service is in attendance. I have no more details at this stage.” Others reminded the councillor there was a fire in the same area – potentially at the exact property – approximately one year ago.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says crews from four stations remain at the scene, having received calls of a property fire at around 9.30pm on Tuesday. It described the incident as a “large scrap yard fire.” Writing on its website, the service added: “Approximately 25 metres by 15 metres. Three ground monitors, one large jet, two grab cranes and aerial used. The incident was handed back to owners (of the scrap yard).”
But other points, including the cause of the blaze and if it caused any significant injuries, remain unclear at this stage. Pepper Road is closed while the operation continues and diversions take drivers through the Belle Isle and Balm Road areas of south Leeds this morning. Drivers are advised to avoid the area entirely if they can.
Thick smoke and flames have been visible from a significant distance, with the situation requiring a significant effort to control. Emergency teams are working hard to bring the fire under control.
The blaze follows an inferno in Blackburn, Lancashire, this week, which happened at a factory and “involved plastics”. Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut on Monday morning after the blaze began on the Shadsworth industrial estate on Sett End Road.
Explosions could be heard and a large plume of smoke could be seen in the sky above the fire near the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. However, operations at the hospital were unaffected and no patients were evacuated.