Pictures as fire service attend incident at Great Harwood scrapyard

White smoke has been billowing across Great Harwood today after a fire on Meadow Street.

The fire service, police, council, Environment Agency, and ambulance service have issued a joint statement about the incident.

It confirmed access to the scrapyard had been blocked by a heavy goods vehicle meaning firefighters were unable to extinguish the fire from the road.

It said a large amount of smoke, which could be seen four miles away in Huncoat, is still affecting parts of Great Harwood due to a "smouldering fire".

 All agencies, including the council, police, ambulance service, and Environment Agency are currently “working together to reduce the impact on the local community”.

Smoke seen from Huncoat (Image: LT) A joint statement said: "Local agencies received reports of an incident at a site on Meadow Street, Great Harwood, on Monday evening.

"Access to the site had been blocked by a heavy goods vehicle and the location of the fire on site meant that firefighters were unable to extinguish the fire from the road.

"An assessment was made by the firefighters who determined that the risk to the public from fire spread was low.

"However, due to the smouldering fire, there is a large amount of smoke affecting parts of Great Harwood.  All agencies are currently working together to reduce the impact on the local community.

"If you can smell or see smoke in the proximity, please keep your windows and doors closed.

"If smoke or a fire is causing a pollution concern, but there is not a threat to life or property, you can report this directly at Hyndburn Council via an online form at: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk.

"If there is an immediate risk to property or life due to fire please call 999 and ask for the fire service."

Alan Ramsbottom Way which leads on to a section of Meadow Street (Image: LT) Hyndburn MP, Sarah Smith, confirmed she is "in direct contact" with the fire service and police about the incident. She promised to provide updates "in due course".

Ms Smith said: "I am in direct contact with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire Police regarding an incident in Great Harwood last night.

"I will communicate any necessary updates in due course.

"I’m asking everyone to work with authorities, if you can see or smell smoke, please keep your doors and windows closed."

Today, one resident who lives close by said he was thankful the smoke was not coming in his direction.

He said: "It happens every so often and the smoke is a nuisance."

It is not the first time a fire has been reported at the site.

In 2022, the council said it would be working closely with the Environment Agency, police, and fire service after receiving multiple calls about alleged 'illegal burning' at the scrapyard.

At the time, one resident said: “I’m just at my wits end with nobody doing a thing about it.

“They have been burning all summer too and have really stepped it up again over the weekend.

“The station manager from the local fire station went out to it twice and just looked at it.”

Another fire at the site was also reported in 2017.