Ipswich: Fire at Sackers Great Blakenham recycling centre

More than a dozen Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service crews were dispatched to the Sackers centre in Gipping Road, Great Blakenham, shortly after 3am on Saturday.

Engines from across Suffolk were in attendance.

The fire service said on Facebook: "We are currently attending a fire in Great Blakenham. Crews will be on scene throughout the night.

The fire could be seen across Great Blakenham (Image: Daniel Crack)

"Please avoid the area. Local residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke."

Greater Anglia confirmed several services on the rail line were either cancelled or delayed due to the fire.

Ian Mallet, Incident Commander at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said at the scene: "We received a call at 0300 hours this morning and responded with approximately 12 fire appliances at height of operations.

"We're currently undergoing a downsizing of our resources on the scene, which will approximately six fire appliances left on site at 0900.

"What I'd like to do is thank the site as we're working in close conjunction with them to resolve the incident.

An aerial view of the fire (Image: Richard Stanford)

"I'd like to thank Network Rail for working with them to ensure the re-establishment of freight and passenger services on the track that is adjacent to the site.

"With regards to the incident itself, it's likely to be protected – that meaning we'll be here for most of the day.

Fire crews at the scene in Great Blakenham (Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)

"For local residents, our information is that we wish you to stay indoors with your doors and windows shut."

The incident comes less than a month after another fire at Sackers in mid-January.