Around 100 tonnes of scrap metal and cars have gone up in flames in Great Blakenham this evening.
Dozens of firefighters are tackling the blaze, which started just after 6.40pm today, at Sackers in Gipping Road.
Nine crews from Ipswich East, Holbrook, Woodbridge, Princes Street, Stowmarket and Newmarket fire stations are currently at the scene attempting to bring the fire under control.
Fire bosses said the blaze is out in the open and has not yet affected any buildings close by.
Drivers have spotted smoke from the fire pouring over the A14 westbound near to the Great Blakenham turn-off.
A fire spokeswoman said: “We currently have 12 fire crews attending a fire at Sackers in Great Blakenham.
“100 tonnes of scrap metal and cars have caught alight and we have 12 fire engines at the scene at the moment.
“The fire is under control and the units which include a specialist water pump are trying to extinguish it.
“We can confirm nobody has sustained any kind of injuries.”
Those passing by described the dramatic scene as fire crews battle the flames.
Stephen Meadows, who lives nearby, said he could see the flames from his upper floor window.
He managed to capture footage of the flames.
He said: “It’s a massive fire, I’ve never seen anything like it here.
“We could see it from our window, the smoke is so thick and I reckon it can be seen for miles.
“I called the fire service about it and got told a lot of other people had also called it in.
“The police have cordoned off the road so the fire service can do their job.”
Eyewitnesses at the scene have also described purple plumes sparking form the fire as a result of petrol in the scrap cars at the site.
Another eyewitness, Alex Heasman, Tweeted: “Suffolk Police have told everyone to go into their homes and close their windows as they’re unsure what’s burning.”
A spokesman from Suffolk police confirmed officers were at the scene to help firefighters.
Gipping Road has been closed off at both ends because of the proximity of the fire.
The fire has also caused chaos on the train lines in the region this evening, as the fire near the railway line has caused services to be delayed, revised and cancelled.
Services running to and from London Liverpool Street have been affected, as well as services between Ipswich and Cambridge and Ipswich and Peterborough.
A statement from Greater Anglia’s live journey check page said: “Due to a line-side fire between Ipswich and Needham Market the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”
Stay with us for updates on this developing news story as we receive them from the emergency services.
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