Major fire at scrapyard

The emergency services were scrambled at 12.48pm when neighbours saw black smoke billowing above the yard of MDJ Light Brothers on the B2096 between Heathfield and Battle.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed that engines from Wadhurst, Battle, Mayfield, Hailsham, Broadoak and Hastings were joined by a water bowser, extendable ladder and platform and mobile control unit from West Sussex.

The fire burnt out a number of scrapped cars over a site area of 40 by 20 square metres.

The Express was alerted to the blaze by neighbour Nicol Brooks. He said: 'The scrapyard next to my house is on fire '“ I think there must be a lot of rubber tyres as the smoke is black and dense.'

Partner in the Three Cups Inn business, Russell Taylor, provided a respite centre for workers from the site.

He said: 'It's a bit of the Dunkirk spirit '“ we've put on coffees, teas and a few nibbles for them as well as giving them a place to sit down and rest.'

Fire crews put up gantry lights to illuminate the scene so they could work overnight and a team was left on duty all day Tuesday to ensure the fire did not re-ignite.

MDJ Light Brothers provides specialist waste recycling and wate management services from three sites in Sussex and sites in Kent and Northamptonshire.