Large vehicle fire in Burgess Hill

The fire, involving a waste truck, broke out at Burgess Hill Household Waste Recycling Site in Fairbridge Way.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “Joint Fire Control was alerted to a fire involving a heavy goods vehicle at Burgess Hill Household Waste Recycling Site at 5.46am this morning.

“Crews from Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath Fire Station were mobilised to the scene, and upon arrival at the site on Fairbridge Way found the vehicle well alight.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are currently bringing the fire under control using three hose reels, one jet and a hydrant.

“Due to the direction of the wind this morning, residents living in the town are urged to keep their doors and windows closed for the time being this morning while this fire is extinguished due to the high volume of smoke.”

As of 1pm the fire service said between 15 and 20 tonnes of waste was involved in the fire, which was extinguished swiftly, with the last crew leaving the scene at 8.05am.

A spokesman added: “Firefighters worked quickly to remove the waste from the vehicle and extinguished it using three jets and hose reels.

“Quick action from Viridor staff on site when the fire broke out to move the vehicle away from the building helped prevent the spread of fire any further.

“Officers returned at 10am to reinspect the scene and found no signs of reignition and the incident was closed.”

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