Photographs show the extent of a huge fire that broke out in a recycling centre close to Ipswich overnight. 

Firefighters were called to the blaze that engulfed 300 tonnes of scrap metal at Sackers Recycling Centre. 

Ipswich Star: The fire broke out in Sackers Recycling Centre in Great BlakenhamThe fire broke out in Sackers Recycling Centre in Great Blakenham (Image: Stephen Meadows)

Billowing smoke could be seen from miles as firefighters tackled the blaze in Great Blakenham

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said that Gipping Road was closed while firefighters tackled the blaze.  

In 2017 a huge fire started at the recycling centre which closed the site for a number of days. 

More than 60 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze which started in a 100-tonne pile of scrap metal

Ipswich Star: Billowing smoke and flames can be seen coming from the fire in Great Blakenham Billowing smoke and flames can be seen coming from the fire in Great Blakenham (Image: Alex H)

Pictures show large flames coming from the fire. 

Crews spent more than six hours tackling the blaze after being called at about 11pm on Monday. 

Firefighters put out a statememnt at about 2am asking nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed. 

Stephen Meadows who lives close to the recycling centre said he heard explosions throughout the night. 

Ipswich Star: Large flames could be seen from the blazeLarge flames could be seen from the blaze (Image: Stephen Meadows)

"I heard pops and bangs throughout the night," Mr Meadows said.

"It was in the same location as the previous fire and it could have been a lot worse if the wind had been blowing in the direction of the residential properties."

Appliances from Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Needham Market, two from Princes Street and two from Ipswich East were in attendance.