FIREFIGHTERS were last night continuing to tackle a huge industrial fire more than 24 hours after it broke out.

Police erected a 200 metre cordon around Young’s Recycling site, on Graythorp Industrial Estate, near Hartlepool.

The fire, which has raged since Tuesday evening and has engulfed two large storage buildings, was gradually being brought under control.

At its peak, Cleveland Fire Brigade had ten engines and 45 firefighters at the site.

Last night, the emergency response was being scaled down, with two fire tenders remaining. But the scene was last night said to be still too dangerous for police and fire investigation teams to enter.

Although the blaze has not produced toxic fumes, residents nearby were asked to keep doors and windows shut due to the dense smoke.

Billingham station manager Steve McCarten said: “It looks like we are going to be here for a few days as there is a lot of waste burning and a low fog is making it hard for the smoke to lift. Investigation officers won’t be going in until it’s safe and that could take a good few days.

“At its peak we had 45 firefighters there – it was huge.”

The 100-acre industrial estate could remain so for the next few days, while Tees Road will be inaccessible between Billingham fire station and Hartlepool power station.

Anyone requiring access is asked to contact Hartlepool Borough Council on 01429-266522.