THE managing director of a recycling scrap yard which went up in flames has told how it was business as usual hours after the blaze were put out.

David Dodds, of Sackers Recycling, said the fire, which raged throughout the evening on Tuesday and into yesterday morning, had started in a pile of scrap metal and cars which were stored outside.

Staff from the scrapyard rushed to the scene in Railway Sidings, Great Blakenham, and worked alongside fire crews using a mechanical crane to move metal away from the inferno.

Mr Dodds said: “Everything is up and running already. We have had a clear-up.

“Fortunately no-one was injured and also fortunately the machinery wasn’t damaged in any way. All the stuff that went up in smoke was scrap metal so we will just put it through the shredder as normal.”

The crews had been called just after 9pm on Tuesday and around 40 firefighters were on scene at the height of the blaze.

Mr Dodds said it was not yet known how the fire started, but CCTV had shown it was already alight by around 8pm.

“The yard had closed for the day at about 5.45pm,” he said.

Mr Dodds praised the dedication of his staff and also the work of fire crews who were at the scene until 4.20am yesterday to ensure the fire did not re-ignite.

An eye witness said: “The plume of smoke could be seen from the A14 and was close to the new development in Plummers Dell, Great Blakenham.

“The smoke was a mixture of black and white and the Sackers staff could be seen with diggers trying to drag away material in an attempt to control the fire.

“At the height of the fire, more than 50 residents were watching.”

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