Smoke plume visible miles away as tyres burn in quarry

FIREFIGHTERS last night were tackling a huge blaze at a quarry on the border of West and South Yorkshire, where around 2,000 tyres were burning.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th May 2010, 00:49 BST

Updated 11th May 2010, 00:49 BST

Thick smoke from the fire at Hazel Lane Quarry, in Hampole, near Doncaster, could be seen 10 miles away.

South Yorkshire Police warned drivers on the southbound A1 to take extra care. Traffic was slowing as people looked at the plume of smoke.

Crews from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to the quarry in Wakefield Road at around 4.50am yesterday.

Group manager Dick Hutton said: "This is a deep-seated fire and we are expecting to be here for days.

"Because of the amount of smoke in the area we would advise local residents to keep their doors and windows closed as a safety precaution."

As many as 30 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze.

Crews have also been making use of resources from the neighbouring West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.