A fire which started at a business in Corby’s Gretton Brook Road yesterday afternoon continues to burn, with emergency services still on the scene.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Earlstrees Industrial Estate shortly before 2pm yesterday (August 10), where it was found that a nearby recycling centre had caught fire.

People in nearby houses are being urged to keep their windows and doors closed while four fire engines and an appliance continue to deal with the fire, which has spread to some shipping containers at a neighbouring commercial site in the estate.

The current cause of the fire remains unknown.

Four fire engines and an aerial appliance at the scene

placeholder image — Four fire engines and an aerial appliance at the scene

Fire at Corby business and ‘huge explosion’ heard in the area

A Northants Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains at the site of a fire at the Earlstrees Industrial Estate, which started in Corby yesterday afternoon just before 2pm (August 10).

“We still have four fire engines and an aerial appliance at the scene. Firefighters continue to try and extinguish the fire involving a large amount of recycling waste at one commercial premises and which has spread to some shipping containers at a neighbouring commercial site.

“There is still a significant amount of smoke issuing from the site so residents and nearby businesses are urged to keep their windows and doors closed for the time being.

Fire services are unsure as to the cause of the fire, though an investigation will take place 'as soon as it is safe to do so'

“Gretton Brook Road continues to be closed this morning and we anticipate we will be firefighting for some considerable time today.

"We appreciate the impact this will have on local businesses and residents and would like to thank them for their patience as we continue to prevent this fire from spreading further.

“At this stage, it is still too early to confirm what the cause of the fire was but an investigation will take place as soon as it is safe to do so.”

As emergency services attempted to tackle the fire, smoke could be seen from all corners of Northamptonshire and beyond, with the smoke cloud being seen by residents as far as Peterborough and Nottingham, and the smell of smoke still being present today (Tuesday) in Uppingham and towards Rutland.